TORONTO -- As the Orioles’ weeklong American League East road trip moved north of the border on Friday night, the team’s recent surge continued in impressive fashion.
Baltimore came from behind for a 13-3 series-opening victory over Toronto at Rogers Centre, using a five-run sixth inning to power its 10th win in 14 games. Fresh off a series win in Boston, the O’s (31-33) now sit only two games below .500 for the first time since they were 15-17 after play on May 1.
The Blue Jays held a 3-1 lead after Brandon Valenzuela’s two-run homer off right-hander Brandon Young in the bottom of the fifth. But the Orioles responded a half-inning later.
Adley Rutschman (who homered off Trey Yesavage in the first) tied the game at 3 on a two-run double. Then, Jeremiah Jackson pinch-hit for Samuel Basallo -- who exited the game with right abdominal discomfort -- and gave Baltimore a 4-3 lead with a two-out RBI single.
The O’s pushed their lead to 6-3 on Coby Mayo’s two-run homer, which came on Yesavage’s 91st and final pitch of the night. It was Mayo’s eighth home run of the season and his third over his past seven games, as the 24-year-old third baseman’s bat continues to heat up.
In the eighth, Baltimore tacked on three more runs via RBI singles from Jackson and Colton Cowser and an RBI groundout by Leody Taveras. Rutschman hit another two-run double in the ninth to cap a 4-for-4, five-RBI night in which he reached in all five of his plate appearances.
Young turned in a third consecutive quality start, allowing three runs in 6 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old righty has unexpectedly been one of the Orioles’ most reliable starters this season, as his ERA now sits at 3.47 through nine outings. Baltimore also improved to 8-1 in games started by Young.
With Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz set to start Saturday and Sunday, respectively, the O’s have a prime opportunity to keep their recent momentum going, as the right-handers have both been pitching well of late.