Henderson hits 2 HRs, Orioles inch closer to .500, wild-card spot

The Associated Press ·
SACRAMENTO, CA - AUGUST 30: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a three-run home run in the fifth inning during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Sunday, August 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California.
Don Collier / Major League Baseball / Getty

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gunnar Henderson hit two homers and drove in five runs, Coby Mayo hit a three-run homer, and the Baltimore Orioles scored seven unanswered runs to rally past the Athletics 8-5 on Sunday.

Baltimore (68-69) improves to one game under .500 for the first time since April 30 and sits one game back of the third and final AL wild-card spot.

Henderson hit a line drive over the center field wall for a 1-0 first-inning lead. The Athletics then scored five straight runs before Mayo pulled Baltimore back in the game with his 15th home run off a left-handed pitcher this season — breaking a tie with Atlanta's Matt Olson for most in the majors.

Henderson hit his second home run 413 feet to drive in the go-ahead runs in the fifth before capping the scoring with an RBI triple in the eighth as Baltimore completed a three-game sweep.

He is the third player in MLB this season with a triple in a multi-homer game and the first to do so for Baltimore since Nelson Cruz on Sept. 7, 2014.

Chris Bassitt (6-4) gave up five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings for Baltimore while striking out four. Yennier Cano worked a hitless ninth for his third save of the year.

Lawrence Butler extended his hitting streak to eight games with a two-run double in the first to give the Athletics a 2-1 lead. Jeff McNeil tacked on an RBI double in the third, and Brian Serven extended the lead to 5-1 in the fourth.

Jeffrey Springs (3-13) surrendered seven runs off six hits while fanning six for the Athletics in 4 2/3 innings.

Orioles’ first baseman Pete Alonso was hit on the side of the helmet with a pitch in the eighth.

Up next

Athletics: LHP Gage Jump (6-8, 4.69 ERA) opens game one over the Rangers on Monday.

Orioles: Yet to announce a starter for a series opener with the Rockies on Monday.

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Henderson hits 2 HRs, Orioles inch closer to .500, wild-card spot