Taylor Ward’s 2-run homer in 8th lifts Orioles to 5th straight win, 3-2 over Astros

By: The Associated Press Posted: 10:54 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 17, 2026

HOUSTON (AP) — Taylor Ward hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Houston Astros 3-2 on Friday night to extend their season-best win streak to five games.

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Adley Rutschman had a ground-rule double to begin the inning against Bryan King (2-3) before Ward hit the next pitch out to left for his seventh homer.

Cam Sanders (1-0), acquired from Pittsburgh for cash on Monday, came in with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. The right-hander struck out Isaac Paredes looking and got Christian Walker to pop out foul behind home plate to pick up his first major league win.

Baltimore Orioles' Taylor Ward (3) celebrates his go-ahead, two-run home run with teammates during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, July 17, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Tyler Wells allowed Jeremy Peña’s infield hit in the ninth before retiring Yordan Alvarez on a shallow fly to center field for the second out. After Paredes walked, Wells struck out Walker for his third save.

Houston starter Peter Lambert allowed three hits, struck out a career-high 10 over six innings and left with a 2-1 lead. He issued three straight two-out walks in the third, including a free pass to Pete Alonso that made it 1-1.

Alvarez had an RBI double in the first for Houston and finished 2 for 3 with two walks. He leads the AL with a .321 batting average, 71 RBIs and 31 home runs as he pursues the Triple Crown.

Paredes’ sacrifice fly in the third made it 2-1. Orioles starter Dean Kremer allowed two runs in four innings.