​HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 17: Jeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros hits a single during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Daikin Park on July 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images The second half of the season is officially underway.   Unfortunately for Houston, they’ve started off on the wrong foot, disappointing the assembled crowd of 31,867 with a late inning blown lead.   Orioles 3 Astros 2.    The Orioles have now won five in a row and have passed Houston in the wildcard standings.    Peter Lambert’s career high ten strikeouts would be wasted as reliever Bryan King’s struggles continued.   In the top of the 8th, Adley Rutschman would double deep to right, moments later scoring on Taylor Ward’s homerun. King has now allowed three homeruns in each of his last three outings.    Jeremy Pena led off things with a walk and was brought home for the game’s first run on Yordan Alvarez’s 18th double of the season.   For Alvarez, it would represent his 71st RBI.    In the third inning, the O’s would tie things up at 1-1.  Pete Alonso would draw a bases loaded walk, sending home Coby Mayo.  Lambert would walk three straight batters in the inning, his only real trouble during an otherwise fantastic outing.   In the bottom of the frame, Pena and Alvarez would continue their 1-2 punch, each reaching safely on a pair of singles.   Isaac Paredes would bring home Pena on a sacrifice fly, making it 2-1.     That would be the score until King’s shortcomings.   Dean Kremer entered the night having a perfect career 4-0 record verses Houston.   However, on this night, he’d last just four innings, throwing 83 pitches.    Kremer allowed four hits, walked three and struck out five.    Baltimore would utilize six different arms in victory.    Late on Friday night, the Astros would have plenty of chances.    In the bottom of the seventh, they’d load the bases but failed to expand their lead.    In the ninth, Pena and Paredes would reach, but once again, Christian Walker failed to deliver, striking out to end the game.    Odds & Ends:Lucas Spence made his MLB debut.  In his first AB, he drew a walk after completing a 9-pitch sequence.    Spence would also single in the bottom of the seventh, notching his first hit in the major leagues.       Pete Alonso has now played in 514 consecutive games.    Saturday contest will be the 100th game of the 26′ season for the Astros.  Spencer Arrighetti will take the mound; he’ll be opposed by Trevor Rogers.    First pitch set for 3:10pm CDT.    Game promotion will feature a Christmas in July theme.