Mullins ignites Orioles’ offense, Suárez shuts down Red Sox in 5-3 win

BOSTON–What happened? Cedric Mullins hit two home runs and Albert Suárez threw six strong innings as the Orioles moved to within ½ game of the American League East leading New York Yankees with a 5-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.

The Orioles (83-63) broke a three-game losing streak.

Suárez allowed one run on four hits in six innings, striking out a career high eight batters. Seranthony Domínguez recorded his 10^th save, ninth with the Orioles.

Adley Rutschman added a two-run opposite-field single in the seventh inning after Mullins drove in the Orioles’ first three runs. It was the second game for Mullins in the No. 2 spot in the order, and he’s feeling comfortable.

“Yeah, just putting quality at-bats together. I think that’s been the main focus,” Mullins said. “Focusing on getting on base, creating some havoc on the bases and leading to some power, as well.”

How is the offense looking? While the Orioles lost 12-3 to the Red Sox on Monday night in the first game of Hyde’s revamped offense, they were stronger in the second.

“I was happy with our offense,” Hyde said. “We didn’t push quite enough across, but I thought we were doing a better job of keeping the line moving, taking walks. And those big hits are going to start coming a little bit more often as long as we keep getting baserunners out there. But Cedric for the last couple weeks is taking really good at-bats, and he was huge for us tonight.”

After watching Rutschman struggle in the second half of the season, Hyde moved him from second to fifth in the order on Monday night, and he was 2-for-5. He was 1-for-5 in his second game in the new order, but the hit was a big one.

“That was a beautiful piece of hitting and that’s Adley Rutschman,” Hyde said. “It’s been encouraging the last few days of kind of his at-bats. The left-field hit for him. He had a big smile on his face. That’s the Adley Rutschman we know.”

After having an awful May, Mullins is playing as he did in 2021 when he became the first Oriole to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season. He has 17 home runs, and after a leadoff single in the seventh, stole his 27^th base.

“Clean win for us,” Mullins said. “I think this was one of those wins we’re looking for. Rutsch with a big hit for us late in the game. Just looking for that momentum swing, and that’s a big start right there.”

With the Orioles locked in a tight race with the Yankees, Mullins is a key figure as one of the veterans on the team.

“There’s always opportunities for me to be a leader in different ways, whether it be verbally or out on the field,” Mullins said. “Today, I feel like it was out on the field, and I’m just looking forward to carrying it.”

How did Suárez look? Six days before, Suárez allowed six runs to the woeful Chicago White Sox in an 8-1 loss, and he bounced back nicely in a game the Orioles needed.

“For me, it’s exciting. It’s a challenge,” Suárez said. “I like the challenge and every time I go out there and do a positive thing for the team, for me, it feels good.”

In his last game against Boston, Suárez pitched six scoreless innings on August 18^th.

“Last time I threw a lot of fastballs,” he said. “This time I was working more with the breaking ball, and then they were probably trying to get a good fastball. I think that was what was working.”

Suárez continues to impress Hyde with his moxie.

“Really good changeups, and you need it with that left-handed hitting lineup,” Hyde said. “And a team he faced not that long ago and pitched really well against, you knew they were going to make adjustments. He threw a ton of four-seam fastballs up against them the last time, and he did a nice job kind of making some adjustments to keep them off-balance the second time.”

Mullins enjoys playing behind Suárez.

“He was outstanding,” he said. “It was exactly what we needed, especially this series after the loss yesterday. Can’t say any more good things about him, but he’s been awesome for us and looking forward to seeing more of him.”

Is Domínguez the Orioles’ closer? Hyde is showing more confidence in Domínguez, who was acquired from Philadelphia on July 26h.

Dominguez struck out Triston Casas and Romy González to begin the ninth. Cedanne Rafaela singled before Jarren Duran filed to right, and he recorded his 10^th save, nine with the Orioles.

“Seranthony with great stuff in the ninth inning,” Hyde said. “Made it a little interesting. But with those three guys, you take your chances because their stuff is so good.”

Domínguez allowed two walkoff home runs in three games last month to the New York Mets but since then has reeled off six consecutive saves.

“Seranthony is relishing the role,” Hyde said. “We’re going to keep rolling Seranthony out there in the ninth.”

How does Santander feel about hitting 40 home runs? On Monday night, Anthony Santander hit his 40^th home run, the ninth time an Oriole had done it, and the first since Mark Trumbo in 2016.

“My goal is always stay healthy and prepare my body to be able to go out there and compete 100 percent, and I know I have the power, and it’s not that easy to hit a baseball,” Santander said. “So, I’m so happy, grateful and proud to be able to hit 40 homers.”

Santander is the eighth switch-hitter to hit 40 homers, the first since Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman in 2006.

“It’s special to be on that list,” Santander said. “That’s pretty special to be a part of with those great players.”

What does it mean?  The Orioles played a much more complete game than they’ve played in recent weeks, and they’ll need more of them to win the AL East.

What’s the word? “This is the roster we have right now. We have to play the best that we can and these guys have the ability to do it.”-Hyde on the Orioles’ lack of right-handed hitting middle infielders because of injuries to Ramón Urías and Jordan Westburg.

What’s the stat of the day? 5. It was Mullins’ fifth multi-home run game, but his first since June 19^th, 2021.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Jacob Webb pitched a scoreless inning in his rehab assignment, allowing two hits and striking out one in Triple-A Norfolk’s 8-1 loss to Durham. It was Webb’s second scoreless inning for Norfolk. He allowed four runs in his last outing for Double-A Bowie. He’s on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

Tucker Davidson (4-10) allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits in five innings. He walked four and struck out four. First baseman TT Bowens hit his third home run.

Heston Kjerstad had an RBI double in three at-bats in Double-A Bowie’s 3-2 win over Erie. It was Kjerstad’s first game for Bowie in his rehab assignment. He’s on the injured list with a concussion.

Centerfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. hit his first home run for Bowie.

Patrick Reilly (1-1) allowed a run on a hit and three walks in four innings. Reilly struck out six.

What’s next? Dean Kremer (7-9, 4.27) will start for the Orioles against Nick Pivetta (5-10, 4.38) in the final game of the series on Wednesday night at 7:10.

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