​BALTIMORE — The eighth time’s the charm. The Orioles entered Sunday 0-7 this season with a chance to extend a winning streak to four games, and they finally broke through by defeating the Royals 8-2 to complete a sweep and move within two games of the final American League wild-card spot as the All-Star break arrived.
Baltimore, which had led the AL in home runs scored, finally broke a tie with a breakout sixth inning. After third baseman Blaze Alexander drew a one-out walk, pinch-hitter Tyler O’Neill lofted a fly ball to right field that Jac Caglianone lost in the sun, turning what should have been an out into a pivotal opportunity for a big inning. And that’s exactly what happened, as the Orioles erupted for five runs.
Right fielder Leody Taveras, who launched a career-long 448-foot two-run homer in the second inning, singled to drive in Alexander. Pinch-hitter Jeremiah Jackson then doubled to score O’Neill, marking Jackson’s second straight pinch-hit double after he delivered a game-winning two-bagger against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday to spark Baltimore’s winning streak. The rally continued when a balk by Royals reliever Matt Strahm allowed Taveras to score, and shortstop Gunnar Henderson followed with a single to bring in Jackson. First baseman Pete Alonso contributed a double to extend the lead to five.
The Orioles rode that dominant sixth inning to their first five-game sweep since late May. It’s an encouraging sign, even if it came against a Kansas City club tied for the worst record in a subpar AL. For Baltimore’s president of baseball operations, Mike Elias, more sustained success—against stronger opponents—will be necessary before he considers making moves ahead of the August 3 trade deadline.
As a franchise, the Orioles haven’t posted a winning month yet this season, though they are 7-3 in July and improved on their record at last year’s All-Star break. Acquiring Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in December was a move intended to stabilize Baltimore’s rotation, and he showed flashes on Sunday. Baz, only 27, limited damage, lasting 4 2/3 innings while striking out nine—matching his total from his previous two starts combined. He used a knuckle curve that has been less effective for him in 2026, after a 2025 season in which hitters batted just .214 against the pitch; this year, opponents entered Sunday with a .286 average against it. Baz did demonstrate a rebound on Sunday, recording whiffs on 32% of his strikes—an encouraging sign for Baltimore.
The Royals scored their only runs on a second-inning triple by Isaac Collins and a third-inning single by Lane Thomas, who also doubled with two outs later in the frame. The early offense provided by Kansas City was not enough to threaten the Orioles’ late surge, and Baltimore sealed the win to cap a much-needed victory heading into the break.