Brandon Young Loses Perfect Game, but Shines for the Orioles
In an exciting baseball game, Baltimore Orioles rookie right-handed pitcher Brandon Young was on the verge of making history on Friday night against the Houston Astros. Young, who was seeking the first perfect game in Orioles history, dominated opposing batters for much of the game.
Young retired the first 23 batters he faced, showing impressive control and a great variety of pitches. However, his attempt at a perfect game was thwarted in the eighth inning.
With two outs in the eighth inning, Ramón Urías, second baseman for the Astros, hit a slow ground ball to third base. Young fielded the ball, but his off-balance throw to first base went astray, allowing Urías to reach base with an infield single.
Despite losing the perfect game, Young managed to strike out the next batter to finish the eighth inning. His eight innings pitched were a personal record, and he tied his best mark with six strikeouts.
Originally from Lumberton, Texas, less than 100 miles from Houston, Young came to the game with a 0-6 record and a 6.70 ERA in his first 10 starts in the Major Leagues.
Yaramil Hiraldo entered the game in the ninth inning and retired the batters in order, securing the one-hit shutout for the Orioles, their first since May 24, 2024.
The Astros’ opener, Framber Valdez (11-6), kept the Orioles at bay until the fourth inning, when Colby Mayo hit a solo home run with two outs.
Baltimore extended its lead in the fifth inning after loading the bases. Gunnar Henderson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and a second run scored when Jesús Sánchez’s throw got away from catcher Yainer Díaz.
After Henderson drove in a run in the seventh, Dylan Carlson capped a three-run eighth inning with a two-run homer, giving the Orioles a 7-0 lead.
Valdez allowed four runs, three of them earned, on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings, which caused the Astros’ lead over Seattle in the American League West Division to shrink to half a game.Key Moment
The single within Urías’s box with two outs in the eighth inning broke the possibility of a perfect game for Young.Key Statistics
John Means threw the Orioles’ last no-hitter on May 5, 2021.
On Saturday, Houston RHP Jason Alexander (3-1, 5.02 ERA) will face Orioles LHP Cade Povich (2-6, 4.95).
