ANAHEIM, California–The Baltimore Orioles finally found their footing after a rough stretch, defeating the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 on Friday night, May 9, 2025, at Angel Stadium. This victory not only snapped a five-game losing streak but also showcased the impressive talents of rookie pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, who delivered a stellar performance on the mound.
Sugano, the Japanese right-hander, continued to impress in his inaugural MLB season, allowing just three hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out five without issuing a walk. His commanding presence on the mound was instrumental in the Orioles’ success, as he improved his season record to 4-2 and lowered his ERA to 2.72.
Before a crowd of 30,778, the Orioles wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Gunnar Henderson opened the game with a bang, smashing a 400-foot home run in the first inning against Angels starter Kyle Hendricks, who fell to 1-4 after the game. This marked the first time the Orioles scored in the first inning in their last 17 games, a much-needed boost for a team that had struggled to find its rhythm.
The Orioles didn’t stop there. In the second inning, they built on their lead with a pair of runs, thanks to RBI singles from Jackson Holliday and Emmanuel Rivera. Holliday’s hit brought home Ryan O’Hearn, who had walked, and Rivera’s single allowed Tyler O’Neill, also a walk, to cross the plate. With a 3-0 lead, the Orioles showed signs of the offensive prowess they had been missing.
Despite the early offense, Sugano faced some challenges. He allowed a leadoff triple to Yoán Moncada in the seventh, who later scored on a groundout by Taylor Ward, breaking the shutout. However, Sugano quickly recovered, retiring the next two batters to maintain control of the game.
After Sugano was replaced by Yennier Cano in the eighth inning, Cano faced a tough test, striking out Zach Neto after a grueling 13-pitch at-bat. Cano’s ability to handle pressure was crucial, as he managed to navigate through a tight situation with the tying run at the plate. Following Cano, Keegan Akin entered to close out the eighth inning, successfully retiring Nolan Schanuel to end the threat.
In the ninth, the Orioles added an insurance run when Henderson hit a two-out triple that scored Adley Rutschman, extending the lead to 4-1. This late-game spark was a testament to the team’s renewed energy and determination. Manager Brandon Hyde praised his team’s performance, stating, “We played really good baseball tonight, scored a couple of early. I thought we took good at-bats.”
Félix Bautista came in to close out the game, earning his seventh save with a scoreless ninth inning. The Orioles’ clubhouse erupted in cheers post-game, a clear sign of relief and joy after breaking their losing streak. “We just needed to get going, get a little fire up under us,” Henderson remarked, reflecting the team’s collective sentiment.
As the Orioles celebrated their victory, they also looked ahead to the next challenge. Kyle Gibson, who holds a record of 0-1 with a 14.09 ERA, is set to face Jack Kochanowicz (1-5, 5.79) in the second game of the series on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This matchup will be crucial for the Orioles as they aim to build on their momentum and start climbing out of the early-season hole.
In the minor leagues, the Orioles’ prospects had mixed results. Chayce McDermott pitched four innings for Triple-A Norfolk, allowing one run on two hits in a 3-0 loss to Nashville. Meanwhile, High-A Aberdeen celebrated an 8-6 victory over Jersey Shore, with first baseman Aneudis Mordán and second baseman Ryan Stafford each driving in two runs. Single-A Delmarva also enjoyed success, defeating Myrtle Beach 9-6, highlighted by catcher Cole Urman’s three-run home run.
Overall, the Orioles’ performance against the Angels was a much-needed boost, showcasing both their offensive capabilities and Sugano’s impressive pitching. As they look to continue this positive trend, fans will be eager to see if the team can build on this victory and turn their season around.
