BALTIMORE, MD – August 22, 2025 — The Houston Astros proved their offensive resurgence was no fluke on Friday night, defeating the Baltimore Orioles in a high-scoring 10-7 affair at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The win marked the Astros’ second consecutive victory and secured a series win over the Orioles.
The Astros’ offense was relentless, picking up right where it left off the night before. The scoring began in the third inning when Jeremy Peña blasted a three-run home run, his 14th of the season. The Astros then added three more runs in the fifth, highlighted by a towering three-run blast from Christian Walker, his 18th of the year, to extend the lead to 7-3.
The Orioles, however, did not go down without a fight. They chipped away at the lead, scoring in the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings, cutting the Astros’ lead to just one run at 7-6.
But the Astros’ offense had one more answer. In the top of the eighth inning, Victor Caratini hit a clutch two-run double to provide some much-needed insurance. Jeremy Peña followed up with an RBI double of his own, and the Astros took a commanding 10-6 lead. The Orioles managed to score one more run in the bottom of the eighth, but it was not enough.
On the mound, newly reinstated Lance McCullers Jr., making his first start since returning from a finger blister injury, was shaky but effective. He went five innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three. The bullpen, which has been under immense pressure recently, held on for the win. Bryan Abreu, one of the team’s key relievers, came in to pitch the ninth inning and close out the game, securing the victory for the Astros.
The win improves the Astros’ record to 71-58 and keeps them in the hunt for the top spot in the AL West. They still trail the Seattle Mariners, who also won tonight, by 1.5 games. The Astros will look for the sweep tomorrow night as they send Cristian Javier to the mound against the Orioles.
