BALTIMORE — In a display of pure power, the Baltimore Orioles turned Thursday's doubleheader opener into a grand slam showcase, crushing the Houston Astros 10-3 behind two bases-clearing blasts from Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson.
The fireworks started in the fifth inning when Rutschman, facing a daunting 0-2 count against reliever Steven Okert, battled back to even the count before launching a missile to left-center field. In a heart-stopping moment, Astros center fielder Brice Matthews leaped at the wall, momentarily snagging the ball—only to have it pop out of his glove upon impact, turning what could have been an incredible catch into a grand slam.
Jackson followed suit in the seventh, adding to the Orioles' offensive explosion with another grand slam off Jason Alexander, this one a towering shot to left-center that pushed the lead to 10-1. The night was especially sweet for Jackson, who also contributed an RBI double earlier in the game, while Rutschman chipped in a single to round out his productive day.
This marked the eighth time in franchise history the Orioles have smashed multiple grand slams in a single game, a feat not accomplished since 2015 when Steve Clevenger and Nolan Reimold turned the trick. For Rutschman, it was his third career grand slam, while Jackson celebrated his second—both coming in this season alone.
On the mound, veteran Chris Bassitt (2-2) delivered his finest outing of the year, working 6 2/3 innings while allowing just one run on seven hits. The right-hander struck out seven and walked only one, giving the Orioles exactly what they needed in the first game of a demanding doubleheader.
The Astros, who have now lost four of their last five games, found some bright spots in Isaac Paredes, who collected three hits. But their offense couldn't keep pace with Baltimore's explosive bats.
The Orioles' rally actually began quietly in the fourth inning, when they were still hitless against Houston starter Peter Lambert. That changed when Jackson ripped a two-out double down the left-field line, scoring Pete Alonso—who had walked earlier—to put Baltimore on the board first. Lambert (1-2) was pulled after 4 1/3 innings, charged with two runs on just two hits.
A key moment came in the fifth when Baltimore's Blaze Alexander successfully challenged a called third strike, using the ABS system to overturn the decision. He promptly doubled, ending Lambert's afternoon and setting the stage for the grand slam parade.
Before the twin bill, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz revealed that left-hander Trevor Rogers, placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, is battling the flu.
With the first game in the books, all eyes turn to Game 2, where Houston's Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 6.75 ERA) will face Baltimore's Brandon Young (2-0, 2.53 ERA) in what promises to be another compelling matchup.