Christian Encarnación-Strand's pinch-hit, two-run double and a Gunnar Henderson tiebreaking two-run triple capped a four-run seventh inning, lifting the Orioles to a 6-4 win over the Phillies on Friday night at Camden Yards. Henderson punched the dirt in relief after sliding headfirst into third base, a release in what's been the toughest season of his career since his first call up to the big leagues in 2022.
"To come through for the team in that way was obviously huge — for the team, and also just kind of for myself, because I felt like I hadn't come through in a while," Henderson, the 2023 American League rookie of the year who entered the game batting .219, said in a on-field postgame interview. "It was nice to finally get one."
It was Baltimore's second straight comeback win — and the first time in two years the Orioles have won consecutive games in which they trailed entering the seventh inning. The win improved Baltimore's record to 54-56, and with a Cleveland Guardians loss Friday, the Orioles enter August just 1.5 games behind the final American League wild-card spot; Full standings and playoff odds are here.
Both big hits came with two outs in the seventh. Encarnación-Strand's double scored Jackson Holliday and Colton Cowser to tie the game at 4-4, and Henderson followed immediately with a triple to bring home Encarnación-Strand and Pete Alonso, making it 6-4.
THE moment. pic.twitter.com/mLztDJqG4C
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) August 1, 2026
“Huge triple," Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said after the game. "Big for Gunnar, big for us. The standards are high for Gunnar in his eyes, and to come through was huge.”
Yennier Cano -- who inked a two-year contract extension before the game -- pitched a scoreless eighth, and Tyler Wells closed it out in the ninth for the save.
Baltimore needed the rally after falling behind early. Philadelphia scored twice in the top of the first on a Bryce Harper RBI single and a Brandon Marsh groundout, and Pete Alonso answered with a two-run homer in the bottom half to tie it before the Phillies pulled back ahead on solo shots from Trea Turner in the third and J.T. Realmuto in the sixth. Orioles starter Brandon Young allowed all four Philadelphia runs on five hits over 5.2 innings, striking out five.
Orion Kerkering allowed two hits and the four earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in the seventh and took the loss. Andrew Painter had held Baltimore to two runs on three hits over six innings, striking out six, but the Phillies bullpen could not protect the lead.
Anthony Nunez earned the win with two-thirds of a scoreless inning.
The Phillies blew 10 leads in the month of July while the Orioles went 15-8 to have MLB's second-best record in the month.
Asked how much confidence he's carrying into the season's final two months, Henderson said: "That first bit's been tough, but that's in the past. We're making a playoff push, so I'm just doing anything and everything I can to help the team win a ballgame."
Catching Carousel Continues
Baltimore's catching situation is finally starting to sort itself out — through a mix of injuries, rehab timelines, and one trade. President of baseball operations Mike Elias said Friday that Adley Rutschman is dealing with an inflamed tendon in his left wrist but could begin hitting as soon as Saturday, with rehab games expected next week. Samuel Basallo will be back "ASAP," according to Elias, and could start hitting again in the next few days after getting a shot in his right shoulder to calm down what Elias called some "barking."
Neither injury had anything to do with Thursday's trade for catcher Jake Rogers, Elias said — the front office simply viewed him as an upgrade over Chadwick Tromp. Rogers entered Friday's game in the eighth inning and is now paired with Yohel Pozo behind the plate. Baltimore designated Tromp for assignment to clear a roster spot for the deal.
Other Injury Updates
The rest of Baltimore's injured list brought a mix of good and bad news Friday. Reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) was seen throwing on the field before the game. Reliever Félix Bautista (shoulder) is expected to throw live batting practice next week. Starter Chris Bassitt (back) has one or two more rehab starts before an expected return. Infielder Blaze Alexander (hand) is still waiting on a bone to finish healing.
The tougher news belongs to Ryan Mountcastle. The first baseman, already working back from a foot injury, suffered an oblique strain that an MRI showed to be significant while warming up for a rehab game. Elias said Mountcastle will be out for months, effectively ending his 2026 season. Reliever Colin Selby, meanwhile, underwent season-ending shoulder and labrum surgery this week.
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