Orioles Take Series from Reds Behind Strong Pitching, Samuel Basallo's Power, and Adley Rutschman's All-Star Recognition

 

Orioles Take Series from Reds Behind Strong Pitching, Samuel Basallo's Power, and Adley Rutschman's All-Star Recognition

The Baltimore Orioles entered their weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds looking for momentum after another inconsistent stretch during the first half of the 2026 season. Despite sitting below .500, Baltimore continued to show flashes of the club many expected to compete for a playoff spot, combining timely hitting with outstanding pitching to secure the first two games of the series before narrowly missing a sweep in Sunday's finale.

The Orioles ultimately took two of three games in Cincinnati, improving to 42-49 before the final game, while several individual storylines continued to dominate conversations around Birdland. Adley Rutschman officially earned another American League All-Star selection, Samuel Basallo continued proving why he is one of baseball's brightest young stars, Brandon Young remained one of Baltimore's most dependable starters, and Trevor Rogers delivered perhaps his best outing of the season.

Meanwhile, Pete Alonso's omission from the American League All-Star roster became one of the more surprising snubs around baseball despite another productive first half.

Game One: Orioles 3, Reds 0

Friday night's opener showcased exactly what the Orioles have been hoping to see from Trevor Rogers since acquiring the left-hander. Rogers turned in five shutout innings, allowing only two hits while striking out four Reds hitters.

While his five walks elevated his pitch count to 93 through five innings, Rogers consistently escaped trouble and never allowed Cincinnati to capitalize with runners on base. His Game Score of 62 reflected one of his stronger performances this season as he improved to 6-7 with a 4.70 ERA.

Manager Craig Albernaz then turned the game over to the bullpen.

Randy Garcia tossed two scoreless innings while Yennier Cano worked a clean eighth before Tyler Wells slammed the door in the ninth for his first save of the season.

With Ryan Helsley and Felix Bautista unavailable, Wells has quietly become a reliable late-inning option. The veteran retired all three hitters he faced while striking out one, continuing to strengthen his case as a dependable high-leverage reliever.

Although Baltimore managed just four hits offensively, they made each one count.

The Orioles scored their first run in unusual fashion during the opening inning. Gunnar Henderson reached base before advancing on a throwing error by Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, allowing Henderson to score without the Orioles recording a hit in the inning.

The biggest offensive moment came during the third inning.

Samuel Basallo continued his remarkable rookie campaign by crushing a two-run home run to left-center field off Brady Singer. The 375-foot blast scored Adley Rutschman and extended Baltimore's lead to 3-0.

Basallo finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and his 13th homer of the season.

Adley Rutschman added a double while Taylor Ward and Pete Alonso each collected singles.

Baltimore's offense only went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position, but the combination of elite pitching and Basallo's power proved more than enough.

Defensively, the Orioles also played a clean game without committing an error while turning two double plays.

Trevor Rogers Continues Building Confidence

For much of the season, Baltimore has searched for consistency behind Brandon Young and Kyle Bradish.

Trevor Rogers may finally be finding his rhythm.

Although his control occasionally disappeared against Cincinnati, his ability to limit hard contact and pitch around traffic demonstrated significant growth. The Reds finished 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 runners on base.

If Rogers can continue delivering quality starts every fifth day, Baltimore's rotation becomes considerably deeper entering the second half.

Game Two: Orioles 8, Reds 5

If Game One belonged to Baltimore's pitching staff, Game Two showcased the offense.

The Orioles exploded for five runs during the fourth inning while collecting ten hits to secure an 8-5 victory and clinch the series.

Samuel Basallo wasted no time making his presence felt.

In the opening inning, the young catcher launched another three-run homer to right-center field, scoring Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso for an immediate 3-0 advantage.

It marked Basallo's 14th home run of the season and continued what has become one of the most exciting rookie campaigns in baseball.

The Reds answered with four runs during the first two innings, but Baltimore never panicked.

Instead, the offense responded emphatically in the fourth.

After Colton Cowser and Leody Taveras reached base, Blaze Alexander delivered a clutch two-run single to give Baltimore the lead.

Moments later, Adley Rutschman ripped a two-run double into right field, driving home Alexander and Jackson Holliday.

Pete Alonso followed immediately with an RBI single that scored Rutschman and capped a five-run inning that completely shifted the momentum.

By the end of the fourth inning, Baltimore had built an 8-4 lead they would never surrender.

Brandon Young Keeps Rolling

Another impressive storyline continues to be Brandon Young.

Young improved to 7-2 despite allowing four earned runs over five innings.

While he surrendered eight hits and walked three, Young limited the damage, struck out five hitters and once again gave Baltimore a chance to win.

Throughout the first half of the season, Young has consistently answered every challenge.

His ability to work through adversity rather than unravel has become one of the Orioles' biggest strengths.

After Young exited, the bullpen once again delivered.

Grant Wolfram, Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge and Tyler Wells combined to allow just one run over the final four innings.

Wells earned his second save in as many games, continuing his impressive emergence as Baltimore's temporary closer.

Should Ryan Helsley or Felix Bautista remain unavailable, Wells has certainly earned consideration for more save opportunities.

Offensive Stars Shine

Game Two featured contributions throughout Baltimore's lineup.

Pete Alonso enjoyed one of his best games in an Orioles uniform, finishing 3-for-3 with two walks, an RBI and a double. He reached base five times and consistently pressured Cincinnati pitching.

Rutschman finished 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and another run scored.

Basallo went 1-for-4, but his three-run homer proved to be the biggest swing of the afternoon.

Blaze Alexander added two RBIs while showing once again he can provide valuable production from the bottom of the lineup.

Baltimore also displayed patience, drawing seven walks against Reds pitching.

Adley Rutschman Earns Another All-Star Selection

During the series, one piece of welcome news arrived for Baltimore.

Adley Rutschman was officially named an American League All-Star.

The selection came as little surprise considering the veteran catcher's impact throughout the first half.

Beyond his offensive production, Rutschman continues serving as one of baseball's premier defensive catchers while managing a constantly changing pitching staff. His leadership behind the plate remains invaluable for a club featuring several young pitchers and emerging contributors.

Against Cincinnati, Rutschman reminded everyone why he earned the honor by reaching base consistently, collecting three doubles over the first two games and driving in four runs.

He continues proving he remains one of the cornerstones of Baltimore's future.

Pete Alonso's All-Star Snub Raises Eyebrows

While Rutschman's selection was expected, Pete Alonso's omission from the American League All-Star roster surprised many around baseball.

Despite posting another productive offensive season and serving as Baltimore's primary run producer, Alonso was left off the roster.

His performance against Cincinnati only strengthened the argument that he deserved consideration.

Across the first two games, Alonso reached base six times, collected four hits, drove in two runs and consistently hit the ball hard.

His veteran presence has transformed Baltimore's lineup, providing protection for Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Samuel Basallo while giving opposing pitchers very few opportunities to relax.

Many fans around Birdland will undoubtedly view Alonso as one of the American League's biggest All-Star snubs

After securing the first two games of the series, the Orioles entered Sunday's finale with an opportunity to complete their first road sweep in weeks. Instead, Cincinnati capitalized on timely hitting and strong pitching to edge Baltimore 3-2, preventing the sweep while still allowing the Orioles to leave Ohio with a much-needed series victory.

Although Baltimore fell short in Game 3, the weekend as a whole offered plenty of reasons for optimism. The Orioles received quality starting pitching throughout the series, continued to see Samuel Basallo develop into one of baseball's most dangerous young hitters, watched Adley Rutschman play at an All-Star level, and continued to receive steady production from Pete Alonso despite his surprising omission from the American League All-Star roster.

Game 3: Reds 3, Orioles 2

Sunday's rubber match turned into a classic pitchers' duel between Kyle Bradish and Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo.

Bradish deserved a better fate.

The Orioles' right-hander delivered another quality outing, pitching 7.2 innings while allowing just five hits and three earned runs. He struck out five hitters, walked only one, and threw 73 strikes on 106 pitches. Outside of one mistake to Spencer Steer in the fifth inning, Bradish largely kept Cincinnati's lineup under control.

Unfortunately for Baltimore, the offense couldn't provide enough support.

Lodolo was equally impressive, limiting the Orioles to one run over six innings while scattering six hits and striking out four.

The decisive blow came in the fifth inning.

Following an Eugenio Suárez walk, Spencer Steer connected on a two-run home run to right-center field, giving Cincinnati a 2-0 advantage. It was one of the few pitches Bradish left over the plate all afternoon, and the Reds made him pay.

Baltimore answered in the sixth.

Taylor Ward doubled before Coby Mayo delivered an RBI single to left field, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Mayo continues to show flashes of becoming another middle-of-the-order bat capable of driving in runs when the opportunity presents itself.

The Reds answered again in the eighth.

Edwin Arroyo reached before Stewart lined an RBI double into left field to extend Cincinnati's lead to 3-1. That insurance run proved critical.

The Orioles refused to quit in the ninth inning.

Dylan Beavers drew a walk before Gunnar Henderson lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, trimming the lead to 3-2. Baltimore even brought the tying run aboard, but Reds closer Emilio Pagán escaped the jam to record his seventh save and preserve Cincinnati's victory.

Despite the loss, Baltimore out-hit Cincinnati 7-5.

Blaze Alexander continued his excellent series by going 3-for-4, while Taylor Ward added two hits and Coby Mayo collected an RBI. Adley Rutschman also recorded a hit, though Pete Alonso was held hitless after his outstanding performance the previous two games.

Starting Pitching Continues to Trend Up

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the series wasn't the offense—it was the starting rotation.

Trevor Rogers tossed five shutout innings in Game 1.

Brandon Young improved to 7-2 in Game 2 and once again gave Baltimore an opportunity to win despite battling through traffic on the bases.

Kyle Bradish followed with another quality start in the finale despite taking the loss.

For much of the first half, the Orioles have searched for stability behind their rotation. Over the course of this series, they found exactly that.

Young, in particular, has emerged as one of Baltimore's most dependable starters. His ability to pitch through adversity has become a defining characteristic of his breakout campaign, and his 7-2 record reflects the confidence the Orioles have every time he takes the mound.

Bradish continues to resemble the pitcher Baltimore expected when he returned to the rotation. His command has improved with each outing, and Sunday's performance was another reminder that he can match up with any frontline starter when healthy.

Tyler Wells Making a Strong Case

Another encouraging development has been Tyler Wells.

With Ryan Helsley and Félix Bautista unavailable, Wells has stepped into the closer's role and converted saves in both victories against Cincinnati.

He didn't overpower hitters with strikeouts, but he attacked the zone, avoided hard contact, and looked comfortable pitching with the game on the line.

If Helsley or Bautista miss additional time, Wells has earned the opportunity to continue handling ninth-inning duties.

Still, the Orioles' front office should remain active before the trade deadline. While Wells has performed admirably, adding another experienced late-inning reliever would provide much-needed depth for a bullpen that hopes to compete in meaningful games during the second half.

Samuel Basallo Continues His Rise

Every series seems to feature another reminder that Samuel Basallo is becoming one of the brightest young stars in Major League Baseball.

The rookie catcher homered in each of the first two games, driving in five runs while consistently producing in clutch situations.

His three-run blast in Game 2 immediately put Cincinnati on the defensive, while his two-run homer in the opener accounted for most of Baltimore's offense.

Basallo's combination of power, patience, and ability to deliver in big moments has transformed the Orioles' lineup. Opposing pitchers can no longer pitch around Adley Rutschman or Pete Alonso without facing another dangerous hitter waiting behind them.

If Basallo continues this pace through the second half, he'll not only strengthen his Rookie of the Year résumé but also establish himself as a cornerstone of Baltimore's future.

Rutschman Deserves the Recognition

Adley Rutschman's All-Star selection was well-earned.

Throughout the first half, he has once again proven to be one of the American League's best catchers. His leadership behind the plate, ability to guide a young pitching staff, and consistent offensive production remain invaluable.

Against Cincinnati, he reached base repeatedly, collected four hits across the series, doubled three times, and drove in four runs.

More importantly, he continued to control the tempo of the game behind the plate, helping Baltimore's pitchers execute their game plans in crucial moments.

For a franchise built around young talent, Rutschman remains the heartbeat of the clubhouse.

Pete Alonso's Snub Is Difficult to Explain

While Rutschman's All-Star nod was celebrated throughout Birdland, Pete Alonso's absence from the roster left many scratching their heads.

Alonso has been exactly what Baltimore envisioned when they added him to the middle of the lineup. He has supplied power, driven in runs, provided veteran leadership, and offered protection for the club's young stars.

Against Cincinnati, he reached base consistently, collected four hits over the first two games, drove in key runs, and showed outstanding plate discipline by drawing multiple walks.

Performances like those only reinforce the argument that he deserved an All-Star selection.

Although individual awards are meaningful, Alonso's primary focus will likely remain helping Baltimore climb back into the playoff race during the second half.

Looking Ahead

The Orioles didn't complete the sweep, but taking two of three on the road against Cincinnati represents another positive step.

The rotation showed signs of becoming a legitimate strength, the bullpen continued to find answers despite injuries, and the offense received contributions throughout the lineup.

Perhaps most importantly, Baltimore's core continues to lead the way.

Adley Rutschman is headed back to the All-Star Game.

Samuel Basallo continues to emerge as one of baseball's most exciting young players.

Pete Alonso continues producing at an All-Star level, even if he won't be participating in the Midsummer Classic.

If the Orioles can build on this series, receive healthier reinforcements in the bullpen, and add another impact reliever before the trade deadline, there is still plenty of time for Baltimore to make the second half of the season far more interesting than the first. The pieces are beginning to come together—it is now up to the Orioles to turn those encouraging signs into sustained winning baseball.