Baltimore OriolesvsHouston Astros
BAL 5/HOU 2
Things to say
The Baltimore Orioles beat the Houston Astros 5-2 in Houston.
01
opener
Orioles took it 5-2 down in Houston. They jumped on the Astros early and never really gave it back. Kind of a quiet, businesslike win.
02
key player
Baltimore's starter was the story for me. Got into his stuff early, worked deep, and kept the heart of that Astros order off balance all night.
03
hot take
Astros are 47-54 for a reason. Two runs at home? The bats have been dead all month and nobody wants to say it.
04
deep cut
Houston's pen got the ball in a two-run game and it was already over. You could feel the manager went to it a hair early.
05
exit
Both these teams are hovering around .500, so honestly it's the next series that tells you who's real. I'll be watching that one.
The recap
Baltimore went into Houston and swiped this one 5-2, and it never really felt in doubt once they got going. The Orioles' bats did enough damage against a Houston staff that couldn't find the shutdown inning, while their own arms kept the Astros' heart of the order quiet all afternoon.
Houston's two runs just weren't enough to keep pace, and they're now sitting under .500 at 47-54 wondering where the offense went. Baltimore climbs to 49-51 and walks out of Daikin Park feeling like a team trending the right way.