Rutschman’s first Camden Yards homer helps O’s win fifth straight
BALTIMORE — Rookie Adley Rutschman hit his first home run at Camden Yards and the Baltimore Orioles extended their winning streak to a seasonbest five games, beating the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 on Thursday night.
“It was awesome,” Rutschman said. “To hear everyone cheering, to hear the fans behind your back, it’s definitely a cool moment.”
Jordan Lyles (5-7) pitched into the seventh inning, allowing one run and five hits with four strikeouts and two walks on 104 pitches. Baltimore’s starting pitchers have allowed one earned run or fewer 15 times in their past 20 games and carry a 2.46 ERA over that span.
Jorge López worked the ninth for his 15th save in 19 opportunities.
The Angels fell to 1-5 on their nine-game trip. Los Angeles began the season with postseason aspirations, but at 38-46 its record is two games worse than the Orioles, who have the lowest payroll in the majors.
Rutschman gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second with a solo shot off fellow rookie Chase Silseth (1-3). His fourth homer of the season just cleared the rightfield scoreboard.
“Huge hit and guys were pumped for him,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “It was a great swing. It sure felt good to get the first one in front of the home fans and many more to come.”
Ryan Mountcastle gave Baltimore a 2-0 lead in the third with a double to center that scored Anthony Santander.
The Angels hit several balls hard, but the Orioles were stellar defensively. Center fielder Cedric Mullins made a diving catch of Luis Rengifo’s liner in the fourth. In the eighth, Mullins made a leaping grab at the wall on a deep drive by Mike Trout.
The Orioles boosted their lead to 4-0 in the fifth on a run-scoring single by Trey Mancini and a sacrifice fly by Mountcastle off Andrew Wantz.