TORONTO — The Baltimore Orioles kicked off the 2025 MLB season with a bang, overpowering the Toronto Blue Jays in a commanding 12-2 victory at Rogers Centre on Thursday, March 27. The Orioles set a franchise record for the most home runs on Opening Day, launching six long balls against a struggling José Berríos, who was making his third Opening Day start for Toronto.
Leading the charge for the Orioles was catcher Adley Rutschman, who hit two home runs and drove in three runs. Rutschman opened the scoring with a towering 436-foot homer in the first inning, followed by a second blast later in the game. His performance marked a significant turnaround after a lackluster second half of the previous season, where he struggled with a .207 batting average.
“Going yard in my first plate appearance of the season is a positive sign that my second-half slump is a thing of the past,” Rutschman said, reflecting on his strong start.
Outfielder Cedric Mullins also shone brightly, contributing two home runs of his own and five RBIs. Mullins plated his first run with an infield single in the second inning, then added a solo shot in the fourth before capping off his stellar performance with a three-run blast in the seventh.
“It’s a large season for me, especially with free agency looming,” Mullins noted. “I’m just trying to show what I can do.”
Tyler O’Neill, the newest addition to the Orioles, made history by hitting a three-run homer in the third inning, extending his record of homering on Opening Day for the sixth consecutive year. O’Neill’s streak began in 2020 while he was with the St. Louis Cardinals and continued through his time with the Boston Red Sox.
“When he hit it, I think everyone was just going crazy because that’s just such an amazing feat,” Rutschman said about O’Neill’s record-breaking home run. O’Neill finished the day with three hits, two walks, and scored three runs, showcasing his impact in his first game with Baltimore.
The Orioles’ offensive explosion didn’t stop there as Jordan Westburg also joined the home run party, contributing to the record-setting total. With three home runs in the third inning, seventh inning, and eighth inning, the Orioles established a new franchise record for home runs on Opening Day.
On the mound, Zach Eflin delivered a solid performance, holding the Blue Jays to just two runs over six innings. Eflin, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays last season, showed his value to the team, allowing only two hits while striking out five batters.
“I felt great out there, and having that kind of support from our lineup makes it even easier to pitch,” Eflin said. “We have a special group, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
José Berríos, the Blue Jays’ starter, struggled significantly, giving up six runs on nine hits in just five innings of work. He became the third pitcher in Blue Jays history to allow three or more home runs in an Opening Day start, joining the ranks of Chris Carpenter and Roy Halladay.
“It’s tough to start the season like this, but I’ll learn from it and come back stronger,” Berríos stated after the game.
The Orioles’ victory marks an optimistic start to the season, especially as they look to build on last year’s 91-win campaign. With the win, Baltimore improved to 1-0, while the Blue Jays fell to 0-1.
“This is the start of something big for us,” manager Brandon Hyde said, clearly excited about the team’s potential. “The energy in the clubhouse is fantastic, and I have no doubt this will carry us through the season.”
The Orioles and Blue Jays will continue their series on Friday at 7 p.m., as Baltimore looks to build on their momentum and Toronto aims to bounce back from a disappointing season opener.
Fans are eagerly anticipating how the rest of the series will unfold, with both teams vying for a strong start in the competitive AL East.
