Gunnar Henderson, O's overpower Guardians, split set | Reuters

CLEVELAND, Ohio — It was an explosive finale at Progressive Field on Sunday, where the Baltimore Orioles demonstrated why they’re seen as a threat for the postseason, by overpowering the Cleveland Guardians 9-5. This victory allowed them to clinch a split in the four-game series against one of baseball’s toughest teams.

Gunnar Henderson shone brightly for Baltimore with three hits including his 29th homer of the season, while Eloy Jimenez, a recent addition from a trade, also contributed with three hits. The Guardians, despite the loss, still possess the best record in baseball at 67-44 and maintain a 5 1/2 game lead over the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central.

The Orioles took an early lead with a four-run burst, driven by Corbin Burnes’ pitching. Cleveland’s Josh Naylor tried to narrow the gap with a three-run homer, his 24th of the year, which momentarily put the Guardians back in contention.

However, Baltimore kept extending their lead, particularly after Guardians’ starter Gavin Williams was pulled after the fourth inning. Williams had been struggling, evidenced by the trio of runs he gave up earlier in the game and his overall 8.66 ERA at home starts this year.

Baltimore’s consistent offense kept pressure on throughout the game. The Orioles scored additional runs against Cleveland’s relievers, enlarging the point gap further in the later innings. Notably, Henderson’s two-run homer in the fourth was a critical blow, putting the Orioles decisively ahead.

Despite the loss, Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt remained positive about the team’s performance and resilience. “They got his pitch count up and we had to move on,” Vogt said about having to pull Williams early, acknowledging the strategic adjustments made mid-game.

In an inspiring note for Cleveland, right-hander Connor Gillispie made his major league debut, pitching the final three innings and displaying potential despite allowing one run.

Looking ahead, Cleveland will face the Diamondbacks at home starting Monday, with Logan Allen expected to start the opener against Arizona’s Zac Gallen.

This game was not just a display of power but also of strategic acumen, testing both teams and entertaining fans with high-intensity baseball as the season progresses towards its crucial later stages.