Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Anthony Santander had a standout performance at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 9-1 victory over the Texas Rangers. The trio of All-Star hitters showed their prowess at the plate, with Henderson tying a career high with four hits, Rutschman hitting a two-run homer, and Santander smacking a pair of long balls and driving in five runs.
The Orioles’ top bats had a slow start at the All-Star festivities earlier in the week, with Henderson bowing out of the Home Run Derby and both Henderson and Rutschman going hitless in the Midsummer Classic. However, they quickly found their rhythm when the season resumed, powering the Orioles to a convincing win over the Rangers.
Baltimore’s offensive strategy focuses on quality at-bats rather than just hitting home runs, but their approach has still resulted in a league-leading 153 long balls. Henderson leads the team with 28 homers, followed by Santander with 26 and Rutschman with 17. Manager Brandon Hyde commended the trio for their outstanding performance and contributions to the team’s success.
As the Orioles gear up for the second game of the series against the Rangers, they will face veteran right-hander Max Scherzer on the mound. Santander, who has had success against Scherzer in the past, will look to continue his hot streak at the plate. Scherzer, with a 3.18 ERA in 15 career starts against the Orioles, will aim to stifle Baltimore’s potent lineup.
On the other side, the Rangers will send right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the mound, who has struggled against Texas in his career. Rodriguez will be looking to bounce back from a tough outing in his last start and help the Orioles secure another win on the road.
Texas will be looking to regroup after a lackluster offensive showing in the series opener, managing just two hits against Baltimore’s pitching staff. The Rangers may also be without Josh Smith, their top hitter, who was hit by a pitch in the previous game. Manager Bruce Bochy expressed concern for Smith’s health but remains hopeful that he will be available for Saturday’s contest.
Overall, the matchup between the Orioles and the Rangers promises to be an exciting one, with both teams showcasing their offensive firepower and talented pitching staff. Fans can expect a competitive game as these two teams battle it out at Globe Life Field.
