Astros Explode Early: Smith, Alvarez Power 11-5 Rout to Split Doubleheader

If Game 1 was a nightmare, Game 2 was the wake-up call the Astros needed.

The Houston Astros erupted for five runs in the first inning and never looked back, routing the Baltimore Orioles 11-5 Thursday afternoon at Oriole Park at Camden Yards to split the doubleheader. Houston moves to 12-20 on the season.

Cam Smith provided the knockout blow in the first, launching a three-run homer to center field after Dustin Harris had already given Houston a 2-0 lead with a two-run single that scored Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes. By the time the inning was over, the Astros led 5-0 and Orioles starter Brandon Young was in trouble he would not escape.

Alvarez added a solo shot in the second—his 12th homer of the season—to push the lead to 6-0, and the Astros blew the game open with a four-run fourth that included an RBI single from Paredes, an RBI single from Christian Walker, a sacrifice fly from Harris, and an RBI single from Yainer Diaz. By the end of the fourth, it was 10-0.

Young lasted just four innings, allowing seven runs on ten hits while walking two and surrendering two home runs.

Lance McCullers Jr. was equally dominant on the other side, spinning six innings of three-run ball while striking out nine and allowing just two hits. It was comfortably his best start of the season after a rough April, and the Astros will take it. McCullers improves to 2-2 with a 6.32 ERA.

Baltimore got three runs back in the fourth on a Pete Alonso RBI double and a Leody Taveras two-run triple, and added single runs in the seventh and ninth, but never threatened seriously.

Harris finished with three RBI on the day. Smith drove in three as well. Diaz, Paredes, and Walker each added one. It was the kind of performance this offense is capable of on any given night and a welcome reminder of that after a brutal game one.