The game was over in the first inning. Houston erupted for five runs before Baltimore recorded an out, turning what should have been a competitive matchup into a rout that ended 11-5 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Yordan Alvarez carried the assault, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored. The slugger homered to center in the second inning and finished with a .356 average and 12 home runs on the season. Cam Smith delivered the knockout blow in the first with a three-run homer to center, capping the early explosion.
The damage began when Harris singled to right, scoring Alvarez and Paredes for a 2-0 lead. Smith followed with his 414-foot blast, bringing Harris and Diaz home to make it 5-0. Houston added four more runs in the fourth inning, with Paredes, Walker, Harris and Diaz each driving in runs to extend the lead to 10-0.
Lance McCullers earned the victory despite allowing 3 runs over 6.0 innings, striking out nine while walking four. His ERA stands at 6.32. Baltimore's starter absorbed the loss, surrendering 10 runs over 4.0 innings as the Orioles fell behind early and never recovered.
Houston snapped a losing streak to improve to 11-19. Baltimore won their previous game but fell to 14-15. Pete Alonso doubled for the Orioles and sits 10 doubles away from 200 career doubles.