Shane Baz and the Orioles handle the Astros, 5-3
The O’s took care of business against a bad team.
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 28: Shane Baz #34 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Houston Astros at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 28, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images Tonight marked the third series in a row in which the O’s have faced a last-place team. Are the Orioles a good team?
We’re not sure. But right now, Houston has the worst record in the American League and is down a whole outfield, a shortstop, practically an entire bullpen… Surely, given the depleted state of the ‘Stros, the Orioles could hope for nice things tonight? Nice things like Pete Alonso tanks and Shane Baz quality starts.
Well, close enough! Pete the Polar Bear did go deep, a big two-run bomb in the fifth inning to put the O’s up 4-1, and though a shaky Anthony Nunez allowed it to get close in the eighth, Ryan Helsley slammed the door to preserve a 5-3 win. Meanwhile, Shane Baz finished one out short of a QS, but along the way he showed some of his best stuff all season, going 5 1/3 with just one earned run allowed and six strikeouts.
Tonight’s tart felt like a good time for Shane Baz to find his ace stuff. (Or I’m just saying that because this is my recap. ) But really, it’s getting late enough in the season—and Baz far enough removed from surgery—that the pressure is on a little bit to see what the talented righty’s really got.
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