BALTIMORE What happened? The Orioles were trailing by three runs and had just three hits though seven innings. Then, they loaded the bases against the Houston Astros, and Anthony Santander hit a grand slam, and, suddenly, the slumping Orioles had a late-inning lead and came away with a 7-5 win.

That win was vital because the New York Yankees beat Colorado, 3-0, enabling the Orioles to remain 1 ½ games behind New York in the American League East.

In three of their previous five games, the Orioles had just three hits.

“I haven’t seen our team react like that in a long time,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “It was just a big exhale, it seemed like, in our dugout. It really was so exciting and the stadium, that was as loud as it’s been this year I think.

“It was a great atmosphere and Santander comes through once again at a time when we really have been scuffling. We caught a couple breaks tonight. We haven’t been catching many breaks, either. Just a massive, massive hit for us.”

Seranthony Domínguez, who had allowed game-winning home runs twice this week, pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save, fourth with the Orioles.

How big was Santander’s grand slam? Santander’s go-ahead grand slam was the first one by the Orioles since Pedro Alvarez hit one on April 6^th, 2018 at New York.

It was his 38^th home run of the year, his second grand slam and the fourth of his career.

“We’ve been struggling a little bit the last couple weeks, and that’s a big key right there,” Santander said. “That is a reminder of who we are as a team. We always stay focused the whole game; we compete for 27 outs.”

Santander felt the intensity of the crowd, as well.

“That was great. That was a playoff atmosphere,” he said. “So happy that the fans stayed in that kind of game to support us all the way to the ninth inning. And then, we got a win, that’s the most important and I’m so happy for that.”

Santander has 86 RBIs, nine away from last year’s career-high 95.

“How many homers has he got now? 38 homers and not out of August yet,” Hyde said. “He has been incredibly steady for us. He’s hit a lot of big homers in his career, and I think there’s a real slow heartbeat at the plate. Those kind of situations, we have as a club tried to do way too much and try to get the big hit and Tony’s just got a ton of confidence because of his experience and doesn’t let the game get too fast for him. So he’s able to take good at-bats in those kinds of situations.”

How big was the bullpen? Burch Smith, Craig Kimbrel and Domínguez combined for four scoreless innings and two hits.

“It’s been rough. It’s been hard. Really happy with our bullpen tonight.” Hyde said. “Burch Smith coming in at that spot. Those are the innings that we’ve struggled in, honestly, to keep the score. That’s what we were really good at the last couple of years, keeping the score there for us to have the ability to come back, and Burch did that, and Craig got through his inning to allow us to get that rally there and win the game.”

What’s the latest on Mullins and Mountcastle? Cedric Mullins left the game after four innings with left quadriceps tightness. He made an excellent running catch on Mauricio Dubón’s drive in the second.

“I’m hoping it’s just day-to-day,” Hyde said. “But that was an incredible catch there in the [second]. I don’t know if he did it on that play or not, but that saved a run, also.”

Ryan Mountcastle, who left Thursday’s game with a sore wrist, was out of the lineup.

“He was getting treatment the majority of the game,” Hyde said. “I wasn’t sure if he was going to be available or not, but I was more than likely staying away from him.”

How did Cade Povich pitch? Povich allowed five runs on eight hits in five-plus innings, walking two and striking out three.

“I think, still a lot of positives from what I’ve been working on going into it,” Povich said. “A couple pitches, I think, that just kind of went the other way and then a couple of it was just on the side of  being in the zone … but not necessarily executing it the way I might have wanted to.”

What’s up with Emmanuel Rivera? The Orioles’ new corner infielder has yet to play in the two games he’s been with the team. Rivera is a lifetime .214 hitter in four seasons with Kansas City, Arizona and Miami.

Rivera played in the 2023 World Series for the Diamondbacks and would love another postseason with the Orioles.

“Just focus on doing whatever I can to help the team win,” Rivera said through a translator. “Ready for whatever opportunity I’m given to go out there and help the guys and help the team.”

What does it mean? The Orioles needed that win badly. That was the most exciting win of the second half, and as Hyde said, the ballpark was the loudest it’s been all season.

What’s the word? “I was looking fastball. That’s a guy who throws 99 mph, and they’ve been throwing me up and in the whole game. I just said, ‘This is a guy who throws a lot of sliders, too, but I’m going to stay with the fastball right here.’’-Santander on the game-winning grand slam

What’s the stat of the day? 38. Santander needs just two home runs to have the ninth 40-homer season in Orioles’ history.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Coby Mayo drove in two runs in Triple-A Norfolk’s 8-4 loss in 10 innings to Worcester.

Patrick Reilly allowed three runs on four hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings as Double-A Bowie lost to Erie 4-3.

High-A Aberdeen managed just five hits in its 8-0 loss to Winston-Salem.

Jacob Cravey (0-9) allowed two runs on two hits in 4 2/3 innings as Single-A Delmarva lost to Down East, 2-1, despite allowing just three hits.

Utilityman Terrin Vavra was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.

Right-hander Ryan Long was promoted to Norfolk from Bowie. Right-hander Daniel Lloyd moved from Aberdeen to Bowie. Right-hander Cooper Chandler was placed on the IronBirds’ injured list.

What’s next? Albert Suárez (6-4, 3.18) will face Framber Valdez (13-5, 3.20) on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. The Orioles’ Hall of Fame ceremony honoring Nick Markakis, Terry Crowley and the late Dick Bowie will take place before the game.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: [email protected]       \