Orioles 7, Mariners 5: Adley Returns, Alonso and Cowser Go Deep as Baltimore Earns Series Split

The Orioles closed out their four-game series against the Seattle Mariners with a much-needed 7-5 victory Thursday night at Camden Yards, salvaging a split against one of the American League’s top clubs. Baltimore’s offense erupted in the third inning, and the bullpen stepped up after an uncharacteristically rough outing from Kyle Bradish.

Seattle wasted no time getting on the board. Rookie Cole Young launched the third pitch of the game over the wall in right-center field for a leadoff homer, giving the Mariners a 1-0 advantage before many fans had settled into their seats.

For two innings, Mariners starter Bryan Woo looked dominant, retiring the first six Orioles he faced. The game flipped completely in the bottom of the third.

Colton Cowser got the rally started with a solo home run to left-center, tying the game at 1-1. Baltimore then loaded the bases and took advantage of a Woo wild pitch that allowed Jackson Holliday to score the go-ahead run. With two runners aboard, Adley Rutschman—returning to the lineup after missing time—lined a two-run double into right field, scoring Taylor Ward and Gunnar Henderson. Moments later, Pete Alonso crushed a two-run homer into the left-field seats, capping a six-run inning and giving Baltimore a commanding 6-1 lead.

Rutschman’s return immediately provided a spark. The Orioles catcher finished with three RBIs, including the big two-run double and a later RBI single that proved to be the difference in the game.

The Mariners refused to go away.

Kyle Bradish, who entered the night having allowed more than two home runs in a game only rarely throughout his major league career, struggled with the long ball. Luke Raley connected on a two-run homer in the fourth inning, Dominic Canzone followed with a solo shot, and Seattle added another run on a Julio Rodríguez RBI single to suddenly cut the Orioles’ lead to 6-5. Bradish lasted only four innings and surrendered three home runs, making it one of his toughest starts of the season.

Baltimore’s bullpen answered the challenge.

Tyler Wells entered in relief and delivered three scoreless, hitless innings, stabilizing the game and allowing the Orioles to regain control. His outing earned him the victory and may have been the most important performance of the night. Grant Wolfram escaped an eighth-inning threat before Andrew Kittredge closed the door in the ninth for his first save of the season.

The Orioles added an insurance run in the fifth when Rutschman delivered another RBI hit, pushing the lead to 7-5. That extra run proved critical as Seattle continued to pressure Baltimore late in the contest.

Key Orioles Performers

• Adley Rutschman: 2-for-3, double, 3 RBIs
• Pete Alonso: Two-run home run (15th)
• Colton Cowser: Solo home run (7th)
• Tyler Wells: 3 scoreless, hitless innings in relief
• Andrew Kittredge: First save of the season

Turning Point

The six-run third inning completely changed the game. Cowser’s homer tied it, Rutschman’s double put Baltimore ahead for good, and Alonso’s blast gave the Orioles enough cushion to survive Seattle’s comeback attempt.

Baltimore improves to 33-37 and heads into its next series with some momentum after taking the finale from the AL West-leading Mariners. The biggest development beyond the win may have been the return of Rutschman, whose impact was immediately felt throughout the lineup.