O’s look for more production from Gunnar Henderson vs. D-backs

Baltimore’s much-needed victory came with Gunnar Henderson highlights but also included some sobering news.

First, the good stuff. Henderson had his most productive game since returning from the injured list to help the Orioles beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Monday.

Henderson had two hits, two runs and two stolen bases in his fourth game since returning from a right intercostal strain that limited him to six plate appearances in spring training. He was 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts in his first three games.

“Good to see them fall,” Henderson said. “Felt like the timing was pretty good, but obviously don’t get the major league reps until you are here. Tough to miss that much spring, but back now.

“The injury was never bugging me. It was just a matter of getting the timing down, Just getting my feet up under me.”

But … the 5-1 victory may have come at a cost. Right-hander Zach Eflin, who gave up one run in six innings, was removed with shoulder fatigue after throwing 73 pitches.

“Get some tests done and keep our fingers crossed that everything is OK there,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “He was absolutely cruising. So efficient. Saw the velo go down a little bit in the sixth. After the sixth, he said something.”

Baltimore’s Charlie Morton is to face Arizona’s Merrill Kelly in a battle of right-handers in the second game of the series Tuesday. The Orioles had lost four of five entering the series. The D-backs have lost four of five overall.

Earlier in the day, the Orioles learned they will be without right-hander Albert Suarez for an extended period after he was transferred to the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.

“We’re dodging and weaving right now,” Hyde said.

The Diamondbacks had five hits and threatened only in the fourth, when they put three men on base, but they lost a chance to keep the game closer. Rookie second baseman Tim Tawa bobbled a potential inning-ending double play grounder in the fifth and Ryan Mountcastle followed with a two-run single for the final runs of the game.

“Just a play that has to be made, plain and simple,” said Tawa, who was recalled from Triple-A Reno when Ketel Marte was placed on the injured list Saturday. “I expect to make that play, and I hope everybody in the dugout and coaching staff expects me to make that play.”

The Orioles beat Arizona ace Zac Gallen with a patient approach while getting seven hits and four walks.

“Some of our best at-bats of the year,” Hyde said. “We didn’t chase.”

Morton (0-2) has scuffled in his first two starts with the Orioles, falling to Toronto and Boston. He struck out 10 in most recent outing but was victimized by two-run homers by Alex Bergman and Kristian Campbell in an 8-4 loss to the Red Sox.

Morton has averaged 94 mph on his four-seam fastball, according to Statcast, and his 10 strikeouts set a franchise record for a player of his age, 41 years and 142 days, according to MLB.com.

Morton is 5-3 with a 4.27 ERA in 15 career starts against the Diamondbacks. He lost twice to them in 2023 and has not beaten them since 2018.

Kelly (1-1) will look to rebound after giving up a career-high nine earned runs in a 9-7 loss to the New York Yankees his last time out Thursday. He gave up three homers and lasted only 3 2/3 innings.

Kelly gave up eight runs and seven hits — including three homers — in a 7-2 loss in his only previous start against the Orioles in 2019, his first season in the majors after spending four seasons in South Korea.

-Field Level Media