Cam Smith -- General News

The Houston Astros captured the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles 11-5, splitting the series after losing the opener 10-3. Yordan Alvarez led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with his 12th home run and three runs scored. Cam Smith provided an early three-run homer while Yainer Diaz collected three hits. The Astros' bats dominated throughout the game, with the team sending nine batters to the plate in the first inning and scoring five runs off Orioles starter Brandon Young, including three on Smith's homer. Houston added four more runs in the fourth inning with support from hits, walks, a sacrifice fly, and an Orioles error. Lance McCullers Jr. earned the win, pitching six innings while allowing three runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and four walks. Houston finished with 15 hits compared to Baltimore's 12 across both games.

In the series opener, the Orioles dominated behind dominant pitching from Chris Bassitt, who threw 6⅔ innings allowing just one run on seven hits. Baltimore's offense was propelled by grand slams from both Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson in a 10-3 victory. Peter Lambert took the loss for Houston after allowing two runs and two hits in 4⅓ innings. The Astros' Isaac Paredes went 5-for-10 across the doubleheader. Baltimore placed left-hander Trevor Rogers on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to flu. Houston will send RHP Mike Burrows (1-3, 6.25 ERA) to the mound Friday as the Astros begin a three-game series in Boston, while the Orioles have not announced their starting pitcher for their Friday series opener at Yankee Stadium.