Birdland’s Big Win: Orioles Triumph Over Padres 8-6! 
What an exhilarating game for our Baltimore Orioles as they clinched an 8-6 victory over the San Diego Padres. This matchup had it all, from solid pitching moments to clutch hits, and the Orioles showing their resilience to come out on top. Let’s break it down inning by inning!Early innings: A Tense Start 
The game started off quietly with both teams unable to put any runs on the board in the first two innings. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Orioles broke the deadlock. James McCann walked, and Colton Cowser and Anthony Santander both reached base on walks and a single, respectively. Gunnar Henderson walked, bringing in McCann for the first run. Ryan O’Hearn singled to left, scoring Cowser, and Ryan Mountcastle followed up with a single, scoring both Henderson and Santander. Jordan Westburg struck out, but Cedric Mullins delivered a crucial double to center, scoring Mountcastle and O’Hearn. 
The inning ended with the Orioles putting up a big 6-0 lead.Middle innings: Padres Fight Back 
The Padres rallied in the top of the 5th inning as Jackson Merrill doubled and David Peralta and Ha-Seong Kim contributed with hits to make it 6-3. Then in the 6th inning, Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer, narrowing the Orioles’ lead to just one run at 6-5. Yikes! 
Late innings: Holding Firm and Sealing the Victory 
With the tension high, the Orioles’ bullpen, including Pérez and Domínguez, managed to hold the Padres scoreless in the 7th and 8th innings. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Adley Rutschman walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Mountcastle, showing ice in his veins, singled to left, bringing home both Santander and Rutschman to extend the lead to 8-5! 
Closing it Out: Nail-Biting Finish 
The top of the 9th inning was intense as the Padres threatened once more. David Peralta and Ha-Seong Kim both reached base, but Cano stepped up on the mound to steady the ship. Despite Kim scoring off a fielder’s choice, Cano induced a groundout from Cronenworth to end the game, securing a thrilling 8-6 win for the O’s!Final Thoughts 
Orioles fans, what a game! The team showcased their fighting spirit and determination. Standout performances by Ryan O’Hearn, Ryan Mountcastle, and Cedric Mullins highlighted the offensive prowess. Our boys on the mound, especially closing out the game, did a fantastic job under pressure. Let's continue to ride this momentum and keep the wins coming! Go O’s!! 
Scoreboard for Padres @ Orioles (July 28th, 2024)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 1 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 1 |