The Baltimore Orioles scored seven runs in the second inning and held a 7-0 lead over the Kansas City Royals through five and a half innings. The Royals drew within one, 8-7 at the end of seven innings but in the end, the Orioles hung on to win 9-7.
Starter Corbin Burnes (3-0) allowed 3 runs on 4 hits (1 HR), walked 1 and struck out 4 over 5.2 innings, giving the team a chance to win. Despite the bullpen’s failings, Burnes did get credit for the win. Over the course of 1.1 innings the bullpen trio of Danny Coulombe (0.2 IP, R, BB), Yohan Ramirez (0.1 IP, 2 R, H, BB, 2 WP, HBP) and Yennier Cano (0.1 IP, R, 2 H, BB, K) allowed 4 runs, giving the Royals a sliver of hope.
Keegan Akin (0.2 IP, H, K) and Mike Baumann (0.1 IP) combined for a scoreless eighth inning and Craig Kimbrel pitched a clean ninth to earn the save (5) and tie Billy Wagner for 7th on the all-time saves list.
The outcome might have been different had Anthony Santander (3 for 5, 3 2B, R, 2 RBI) not made the diving catch he did in right field to open the Kansas City ninth.
Colton Cowser (0 for 1) cut down a runner at third in the seventh inning.
Offensively, every starter recorded a hit in the game and among the starters only Jorge Mateo (1 for 4, 2B) failed to score a run.
Jordan Westburg went 2 for 5 with a double, a run scored, 2 RBI and a stolen base.
Gunnar Henderson (2 for 4, R, BB), Adley Rutschman (2 for 5, R, RBI) and Ryan Mountcastle (2 for 4, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB) each contributed 2 hits a piece.
2024 Record: 13-7
Next Game: Sun. 4/21 @ 2:10 pm vs. Royals in Kansas City