sammy 
Alonso Power, Baz Breakthrough: Orioles Hold Off Astros in 5–3 Victory at Camden Yards
At Camden Yards, the night belonged to two headline arrivals from the winter rebuild as the Baltimore Orioles edged past the Houston Astros 5–3, combining timely hitting with a pitching performance that hinted at growing stability.
For Baltimore, the spotlight fell on two key figures: first baseman Pete Alonso and right-hander Shane Baz—each shaping the outcome in different but equally meaningful ways.
Baz Delivers His Best Start, Then Faces a Tough Exit
Baz turned in his strongest outing of the season, earning his first win after six starts. He allowed just one run over 5 2/3 innings, striking out six and consistently attacking the zone with improved fastball command.
“I feel like just fastball command was good,” Baz said. “I felt like I could throw anything in any count… definitely the best so far.”
But the momentum of his night came with a moment of frustration. After allowing two soft hits in the sixth, he was pulled by manager Craig Albernaz despite wanting to finish the inning.
“Skip made a good call there,” Baz admitted, reflecting mixed emotions. “I always want the ball and I want to stay in.”
Alonso’s Blast Shifts the Game
The offensive turning point came in the fifth inning when Alonso launched a two-run homer, stretching Baltimore’s lead and energizing the lineup.
Catcher Adley Rutschman was emphatic about Alonso’s impact:
“Everyone knows how good Pete is… the guy is all-time. He’s a leader in this clubhouse.”
Earlier RBI contributions from Rutschman and Samuel Basallo helped set the tone, but Alonso’s power swing separated the game.
Bullpen Drama and Late Control
Baltimore’s bullpen faced a tense seventh inning after a sequence of hits loaded the bases. The turning point came when the Orioles intentionally walked Yordan Alvarez to set up matchup advantages.
Manager Albernaz called the decision “both tough and logical,” weighing risk against matchup strength.
Reliever Andrew Kittredge delivered under pressure, striking out Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve to escape the inning.
“Limit the damage, honestly,” Kittredge said. “Just attack guys.”
Closing It Out
The Orioles added insurance in the seventh before Houston briefly responded in the eighth. But closer Ryan Helsley finished the job cleanly in the ninth to secure the win.
A Win That Carries Weight
For Baltimore, the result represented more than a single victory. Baz showed signs of rotation stability, Alonso reinforced middle-order power, and the bullpen held firm under pressure.
As Baz put it, the season has been about waiting for a breakthrough moment—and Tuesday night may have been it.
