Orioles start 2nd half with 4 home runs, strong start from Burnes in 9-1 win over Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas–What happened? The Orioles returned from their All-Star break and hit four home runs in their 9-1 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday night.

Anthony Santander hit two home runs and drove in five runs, equaling his career high. Adley Rutschman and Colton Cowser each hit a two-run homer.

Gunnar Henderson had four hits for the third time in his career.

Corbin Burnes, who started the All-Star Game here on Tuesday night, allowed a run on two hits in six innings. He walked four and struck out six.

It was the first time the Orioles played at Globe Life Field since the Rangers eliminated them in a three-game sweep in the Division Series last October.

In the first game of the second half of the season, the Orioles’ offense was excellent. From May 31^st through the All-Star break, they had just three offdays and played emotional series with the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Once we were able to get through that with how we performed, I think everyone was kind of ready for a change of scenery in the schedule,” Cowser said. “I think it’s going to help us throughout the long run and throughout the end of this year.”

Manager Brandon Hyde said that Heston Kjerstad, who’s on the 7-day concussion injured list, would go through a full-scale workout to see if he can be activated for Saturday’s game.

How big was the early offense? After having so much trouble scoring runs last week, getting to Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi, who had won eight of his previous 10 decisions against the Orioles, was key.

“That’s big for us, getting four runs there in the first inning,” Hyde said. “It’s a guy we’ve had some trouble with over the past few years. Kind of right away, really good at-bats off him. To put up four runs in the first with Corbin Burnes on the mound, you feel good about that.”

The Orioles were 2-for-39 with runners in scoring position in the six games before the All-Star break, and while they were only 2-for-3, their offense was efficient.

“I thought we took some really good at-bats,” Hyde said. “We hit a lot of balls hard. They played some really good defense behind him. I thought the at-bats were excellent. I think we needed a little bit of a break. We were kind of grinding there going into the All-Star break. Maybe a little sit down and relax for a few days was what we needed and swung the bat well tonight.”

Santander thought the early lead  was vital.

“Like I always say, those games that we have those bad stretches, we let it in the past and we come into the field with the right mentality, get ready to compete every single pitch,” he said. “That’s what we did today.”

How impressive has Santander been? Since June 1^st, Santander has hit 16 home runs and driven in 34 runs. Santander has 26 home runs, just two behind Henderson’s 28.

“He’s catching Gunnar, right? He made sure to tell Gunnar that,” Cowser said.

Santander is not far off his career-high 33 home runs in 2022.

“I’ve seen him in some good stretches but what he’s done so far this year, he’s got 26 homers and we’re not in August yet,” Hyde said. “Big hits from both sides of the plate, outstanding defense.”

Burnes feels Santander’s intensity on the field.

:He’s played great. He’ll tell you he’s a slow starter and then he’ll turn it on when the weather warms up, and he’s done that. It’s been incredible,” Burnes said.

“His last two months have really been really good. Like you say, both sides of the ball — swinging the bat well, playing great defense. I think he’s kind of been a difference-maker being a veteran guy there in the middle of the lineup.”

How did Burnes throw? Burnes didn’t arrive in Texas for the All-Star Game until Tuesday morning, choosing to spend the time in Arizona with his newborn baby twin girls. He left after the game, and returned Thursday night for this start.

“It felt like a normal start,” Burnes said. “Once I get going in my routine pregame, I’m able to kind of flip the switch and lock in a little bit.

“Obviously wasn’t as crisp tonight. Four walks is never something we’re trying to do. Two of them were kind of being careful with and just making sure we’re not getting beat in situations. But the other two were just poor pitches that led to walks. Outside of that, I thought I threw the ball really well. These guys came out swinging in the second half, so it’s good to see. Off to a good start here.:

How was the All-Star experience? Santander returned to a more sedate ballpark, three days after he scored the go-ahead run in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

“Great day with my family,” Santander said. “They deserved that, and I am so happy, share the clubhouse with the All-Stars. I had a good time talking about baseball all day. That’s great because I had a chance to learn from them.”

Santander said he really enjoyed spending time with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.

“He’s a great guy, a good personality, also trying to learn how to hit the ball like him,” he said.

Hyde enjoyed watching his five All-Stars.

“It was great, a lot of fun to watch them,” Hyde said. “Fun to see your guys on TV with everybody excited to watch these guys. To have a starting battery, that was pretty special.”

What’s the word?  “I always tell him, ‘Keep going, kid. Keep going. Let’s go, vamos.’ If that happens, we’re going to be really close or tied.”-Santander on his home run race with Henderson

What does it mean? After scoring just four runs in a five-game losing streak last week, it was important for the Orioles to break out with a four-run first inning and a nine-run game.

What’s the stat of the day? 15. This was Santander’s 15^th multi-home run game. He’s the eighth Oriole to hit that many.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Jackson Holliday will play partial games at second base for Triple-A Norfolk as part of his rehab progression over the next several games. He’s recovering from right elbow inflammation.

Norfolk pitchers Justin Armbruester, Tucker Davidson, Chayce McDermott, Cade Povich, Carlos Tavera, Brandon Young and Bruce Zimmermann all have planned short outings out of the All-Star break.

Hyde said that Povich, whom the Orioles sent down on July 10^th after seven starts, needed “a reset. We’re going to need starting pitching here shortly after this break. I expect to see him pretty soon.”

Holliday homered twice and drove in four runs as Norfolk beat Nashville, 12-11. Terrin Vavra, who replaced Holliday at second, had a three-run triple. McDermott allowed four runs, three earned, on four hits in an inning. Povich threw a perfect inning.

Wandisson Charles (0-1) allowed four runs in the ninth as Hartford beat Double-A Bowie, 4-0. The Baysox had just three hits.

Zach Fruit, Deivy Cruz (3-1) Preston Johnson and Kyle Virbitsky combined on a no-hitter as High-Aberdeen beat Wilmington, 4-0. The Blue Rocks drew three walks.

Catcher Aneudis Mordán homered as Single-A Delmarva beat Down East 5-3.

What’s next? Grayson Rodriguez (11-4, 3.88) will face Max Scherzer (1-2, 2.96) on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com