Baltimore Orioles

Everything youthful and enthusiastic about the 2023 Orioles is encapsulated in Adley Rutschman’s bountiful hug of the pitcher who finished off yet another victory. Teammates say they like the affirmation, and a researcher notes that the embraces can have beneficial effects.

A tired Orioles relief corps blew a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning and allowed a walk-off single in the ninth in a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Astros to spoil another gem from ace Kyle Bradish.

What is the Orioles' magic number? Here are how many wins or Rays losses they need to clinch the AL East title.

The Baltimore Orioles play the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 20, 2023.

Manager Brandon Hyde said before Wednesday’s series finale against the Houston Astros that Ryan Mountcastle hadn’t progressed the way the Orioles hoped, but the goal is for him to return next Wednesday ahead of the playoffs.

With runners in scoring position, Orioles second baseman Adam Frazier has a .945 OPS that is third best on the team behind Cedric Mullins and Gunnar Henderson. “He just wants to be up there in those moments,” manager Brandon Hyde said.

Austin Hays hit two homers, Ryan O'Hearn stayed hot with a first-inning blast and rookie Heston Kjerstad went deep, too, as the Orioles beat the Astros, 9-5, for their fourth straight win to keep their 2 1/2 game lead in the AL East.

The Baltimore Orioles play the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 19, 2023.