Gunnar Henderson’s Go-Ahead RBI Single in Eighth Inning Helps Orioles Edge Guardians 4-3, Snapping Skid and Avoiding Four-Game Sweep

With the weight of a potential four-game sweep looming, Gunnar Henderson stepped into the batter’s box Thursday afternoon with a clear focus: find a way to deliver when the Orioles needed him most.

And he did.

Henderson’s go-ahead RBI single in the top of the eighth inning broke a 3-3 tie and lifted the Baltimore Orioles to a 4–3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, salvaging the final game of the series and halting what had been a frustrating three-game skid.

“We needed that,” Henderson said after the game. “I just wanted to stay relaxed, get something I could drive, and do my job.”

The win couldn’t have come at a better time for a Baltimore team that had been outplayed in every phase over the first three games in Cleveland. Thursday’s performance, gritty and timely, was a return to the identity that made the Orioles one of the American League’s most dangerous clubs.

Henderson’s Clutch Gene Strikes Again

With two outs in the eighth and Adley Rutschman standing on second base after a sharply-hit double, Henderson found himself in a familiar spot—high-leverage, late-game moment, all eyes on him. After falling behind in the count 0-2 against Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis, Henderson didn’t panic. He took a ball outside, then turned on a 95-mph fastball and lined it into left-center field.

Rutschman, running on contact, scored easily to put the Orioles up 4–3.

“You live for moments like that,” Henderson said. “When your team needs you to step up—that’s what it’s all about.”

The base hit not only gave Baltimore the lead but also cemented Henderson’s status as the team’s go-to bat in the clutch. The 23-year-old shortstop leads the team in RBIs and extra-base hits and has repeatedly delivered in pressure-packed situations.

Back-End Bullpen Slams the Door

After taking the lead, the Orioles turned the game over to the back end of their bullpen, and Yennier Cano and Craig Kimbrel didn’t disappoint.

Cano worked a clean eighth inning, retiring the side in order, including a tough matchup against José Ramírez. Kimbrel then entered in the ninth and retired Ramírez, Josh Naylor, and David Fry in succession to pick up his 19th save of the season and preserve the much-needed win.

“When we have a lead late, we feel good about where we’re at,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Cano and Kimbrel were sharp and efficient.”

Orioles Avoid Rare Sweep

The win prevented what would have been Baltimore’s first four-game sweep loss since 2022 and kept them within striking distance of the New York Yankees in the AL East standings. Entering Thursday, the Orioles had lost four of their last five and struggled to generate offense, managing just five runs combined in the previous three games of the series.

“We’ve been scuffling,” said Hyde. “So for our guys to dig deep and find a way to win says a lot about their character.”

Game Recap: Tense Back-and-Forth Battle

The game started with early signs of life from the Orioles offense. In the top of the first inning, Jordan Westburg doubled to right-center, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Anthony Santander, giving Baltimore an early 1–0 lead.

Cleveland responded quickly. In the second inning, Will Brennan launched a solo home run to right field off Grayson Rodriguez, his seventh homer of the year, tying the game 1–1.

In the fourth, the Guardians pushed ahead when Josh Naylor walked, moved to third on a double by Tyler Freeman, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Bo Naylor to make it 2–1.

Baltimore answered in the fifth. Ryan Mountcastle walked and scored on a Colton Cowser double. Cowser then advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on a groundout from Cedric Mullins, giving the Orioles a 3–2 advantage.

The Guardians tied it once more in the bottom of the inning. Steven Kwan singled, advanced to second on a fielder’s choice, and was driven in on an RBI single by Ramírez.

That set the stage for Henderson’s game-winning heroics in the eighth.

Grayson Rodriguez Battles Through Five

Rodriguez, Baltimore’s promising young right-hander, didn’t have his best stuff but battled through five innings. He gave up three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five. He worked out of trouble multiple times and kept Baltimore in the game long enough for the offense to rally.

“I thought he competed really well,” Hyde said. “Cleveland puts the ball in play, they’re scrappy, and he held them in check just enough.”

Rodriguez has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts, continuing a strong mid-season run.

Guardians’ Offense Stalls Late

Despite putting runners on base in the sixth and seventh innings, the Guardians couldn’t break through. Baltimore’s bullpen stepped up, stranding five Cleveland baserunners over the final four innings.

Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt credited Baltimore’s pitching but lamented missed opportunities.

“We had chances to take the lead and couldn’t cash in,” Vogt said. “That’s baseball. You tip your cap, move on to the next.”

The Guardians still leave the series in good shape, having won three of four and maintaining their lead in the AL Central.

Henderson’s MVP Case Grows

While much of the national spotlight remains fixed on Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, Gunnar Henderson’s case for AL MVP continues to build. He leads all AL shortstops in WAR and home runs and has become the heartbeat of Baltimore’s offense.

Thursday’s clutch single was just the latest example of his value. Henderson has now driven in 14 go-ahead runs this season and leads the team with 28 home runs.

“He’s 23 going on 30,” said Kimbrel. “The way he carries himself, the way he competes—he’s the real deal.”

Postgame Notes

• Yennier Cano earned the win, improving to 4–2 on the season.
• Gavin Williams, making his return from the IL, gave Cleveland four solid innings but did not factor into the decision.
• Ramírez went 2-for-4 for Cleveland with an RBI, continuing his All-Star caliber season.
• Baltimore now improves to 62–41, avoiding losing four straight games for the first time all year.
• The Orioles are 18–10 in one-run games this season.

What’s Next

Baltimore heads home to Camden Yards for a six-game homestand beginning Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels. Dean Kremer will get the ball for the opener, while John Means is expected to be activated from the injured list during the homestand.

Cleveland stays home and will begin a three-game weekend series with the Detroit Tigers. Tanner Bibee is expected to start Friday’s opener as the Guardians look to build on their recent momentum.

The Orioles may not have played their cleanest baseball this week, but Thursday’s win was about resilience, timing, and trust in a young star to come through when it mattered most. Once again, Gunnar Henderson answered the call.

“It’s about fighting to the last out,” Hyde said. “And today, Gunnar led the way.”

If Baltimore wants to make a deep October run, performances like Henderson’s in Cleveland will need to become the rule—not the exception. But if Thursday was any indication, this team—and its fearless shortstop—are ready for that challenge.