BALTIMORE – Anthony Santander hit a game-winning two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, his 42nd home run of the season, and the Baltimore Orioles moved closer to a postseason berth with a 5-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
“It reminds us who we are,” Santander said of an Orioles team that has a playoff spot all but assured but is going through a rough patch. “One close game and then we stay positive, we stay together.”
Santander’s hit against Ryan Walker (9-4) came after Casey Schmitt tied the game at 3-3 with a single against Seranthony Domínguez in the ninth inning.
The walk-off home run landed just over the front of the groundskeeper’s hall in right-center field, capping an afternoon that began with three straight losses and eight of 10 games in Baltimore. The Orioles moved into the AL’s top wild card with a three-game lead over sidelined Kansas City and a chance to catch up to the AL East-leading New York Yankees, who played in Seattle.
“I was just thinking, ‘Huff, huff, huff, please keep going,'” Santander said, making a blowing gesture. “I hit the ball well with the bat, but too high. I was hoping the ball would go further. And luckily it did.”
Gregory Soto (3-5) relieved Domínguez with a quick double play and kept the game tied.
Adley Rutschman had an RBI double and Jackson Holliday scored two runs with a two-out single to close the fourth inning with three runs for Baltimore. Michael Conforto’s 18th home run gave San Francisco a 2-0 lead in the top half.
“It felt like the guys did everything they could to win the game today,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, who recorded his 400th career win. “It’s not like they didn’t. But for me, this win was necessary.”
The teams remained scoreless until the ninth inning, when Dominguez walked the first two batters and Schmitt hit a high-flying fly ball into right-center field.
A diving Austin Slater got his glove on but couldn’t hold on to it as he collided with center fielder Cedric Mullins, and pinch runner Brett Wisely scored from second base despite having a tag on the play.
“We come back in the ninth inning and, as usual, have some good at-bats toward the end of the game,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “But we were just missing one at-bat.”
Mullins received medical attention but remained in the game.
With Gunnar Henderson at first base, Santander fell behind 2-0 against Walker, but they took a ball, fouled four throws, and then hit a slider over the middle.
“Don’t try to do too much,” Santander said. “Just to see the ball go deep. And thank God I got a slider in the middle of the plate and swung it well.”
TRAINING ROOM
Orioles: LHP Danny Coulombe faced three batters and allowed one hit in his third rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday. Hyde said the club will make a decision on his status after he completes pregame activities with Norfolk on Thursday. … Hyde said he hopes 1B Ryan Mountcastle can begin a rehab assignment with Norfolk sometime this weekend.
Next
Giants: Rookie RHP Mason Black (0-4, 7.07 ERA) makes his fourth start since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in late August as the Giants play the first of three games against the Royals.
Orioles: Ace Corbin Burnes (14-8, 3.06) could be making his final regular season start in Baltimore, as the O’s begin a three-game series against Detroit to close out their home schedule. Burnes will be a free agent in the offseason.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
