Orioles news: Orioles begin series with win over visiting Astros

TL;DR

The Baltimore Orioles secured a victory against the Houston Astros at Camden Yards, with Shane Baz earning his first win. Key contributions came from Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Pete Alonso, while Ryan Helsley closed the game.

Key points

Baltimore Orioles won against Houston Astros
Shane Baz earned his first win as an Oriole
Gunnar Henderson scored twice and stole a base
Ryan Helsley closed the game successfully
The Orioles aim to improve their batting order

Baltimore OriolesHouston Astros

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 28: Members of the Baltimore Orioles celebrate after the Orioles defeated the Houston Astros at Camden Yards on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Alyssa Piazza/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images Good morning Birdland, That was the sort of win this team was built to pull off. Shane Baz provided his best start as an Oriole, earning his first win in the process. Gunnar Henderson set the table, stole a base, and scored twice. Adley Rutschman, Pete Alonso, and Samuel Basallo combined for five hits and five RBI in the middle of the order. And Ryan Helsley locked down the ninth inning. Isn’t it great when a plan comes together? Basallo has really started to hit lately. His season OPS is up to .801. And everything he hits looks like it was shot out of a cannon. His double in the first inning came off the bat at 111.4 miles per hour. Baz looked good on the bump. His whiff rate was actually down, only 17% in the game, but he was getting a lot of weak contact and issued just one walk on the day. The only run he allowed came on a solo homer. If he makes the opposing team put the ball in play, he’s going to have success. Of course, the team still has plenty to work out. The back half of the batting order leaves a lot to be desired. Manager Craig Albernaz is cycling players in and out to see if someone will get hot. It hasn’t happened yet. Something Albernaz does seem comfortable with is his bullpen. Roles are being defined. is the fireman, coming into the most dangerous situations. does the same, particularly when a ground ball is needed. and are taking on the set-up role together. And, of course, Helsley is the closer. It’s hard to argue with the unit’s results. It has been the most dependable part of the team to this point. Another win today will get the O’s back to .500 on the season. That feels fine given where the team stands right now. There is enough talent to be better than that, but the results haven’t shown up yet. Hopefully this series can begin that pivot. **Links** Home runs, or the lack thereof, from some of the lineup’s biggest names feel like the answer here. It was cool that was showing some power a couple of weeks ago, but the lineup is built for Alonso and to drive in runs. They haven‘t done enough of that yet. Having more quality relievers than available spots is a unique problem to have. Most teams are carrying one or two place holders at any one point in their ‘pen. The Orioles are getting really good production from even the seventh and eighth guys in the unit. Basallo getting going is an important piece of the puzzle. Now, they need more from Alonso. His homer on Tuesday was a good sign. At the same time, let’s hope someone in the Tyler O’Neill/Dylan Beavers/Coby Mayo group starts hitting a little bit too. **Orioles birthdays** Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

Q&A

What was the final score of the Orioles vs. Astros game on April 28, 2026?

The final score of the game has not been provided in the excerpt.

Who were the standout players in the Orioles' win over the Astros?

Shane Baz, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Pete Alonso, and Samuel Basallo were key contributors in the victory.

How did Shane Baz perform in his start against the Astros?

Shane Baz had his best start as an Oriole, allowing only one run and earning his first win, with a whiff rate of 17%.

What challenges does the Orioles' batting order face after the win?

The back half of the batting order remains a concern, with manager Craig Albernaz experimenting with player rotations to find a hot hitter.