BASEBALL: Orioles ride late-inning power surge to comeback win over D-backs

In a thrilling contest on Monday, the Baltimore Orioles completed a remarkable comeback, overcoming a six-run deficit to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-7 in the opening game of their series.

The Orioles were trailing 7-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning when the tide began to turn. Leody Taveras started the rally with an RBI single, and Jeremiah Jackson followed up with a grand slam, closing the gap to 7-6. The momentum continued as Pete Alonso blasted a two-run homer in the seventh inning, giving Baltimore its first lead of the game. Jackson wasn’t done, adding a second homer in the eighth to seal the Orioles' victory.

Despite strong performances from Arizona’s Ketel Marte and Nolan Arenado, who each hit two homers in the game, the Diamondbacks were unable to hold on to their early advantage. Marte’s first blast came off Orioles starter Dean Kremer on the first pitch of the game, with a second solo shot in the third inning. Arenado added a two-run homer in the fourth and a three-run shot in the sixth, but it wasn’t enough to stave off Baltimore’s late-game surge.

The Orioles' offense produced eight hits and four walks, with Jackson’s five RBIs and Alonso’s two homers highlighting the effort. Gunnar Henderson contributed with a run-scoring triple, as Baltimore scored its highest total of the season.

On the mound, Albert Suarez (1-0) earned the win, despite allowing three runs in two innings of relief. Ryan Helsley pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth save. On the other hand, Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson pitched well through 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out seven.

Arizona’s Jonathan Loaisiga (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs in just two-thirds of an inning. The Diamondbacks, who had won four of their previous five games, were unable to close out the victory.

In a strong showing for Arizona, Ildemaro Vargas and Jorge Barrosa both went 2-for-4 with doubles, but the team's pitching faltered late, allowing the Orioles to storm back.

The win gave the Orioles their third straight victory and their sixth win in the past seven games, while the Diamondbacks will look to bounce back in the next game of the series.

-Field Level Media/Reuters