Henderson has himself a day as O’s finish sweep

By the Editorial Team · Monday, August 31, 2026

Gunnar Henderson led the Baltimore Orioles to an 8-5 comeback win over the Oakland Athletics with two home runs and a triple, helping complete a series sweep. This victory improved Baltimore's record to just below .500 for the first time since April and gives them a chance to achieve a winning record in their upcoming series against the Colorado Rockies.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gunnar Henderson delivered a standout performance Sunday as the Baltimore Orioles completed a series sweep with an 8-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Henderson, nearing the fourth anniversary of his major league debut, showcased his all-around talent by hitting two long home runs, including one over 400 feet, and adding a triple. He also made several notable defensive plays, helping Baltimore erase a four-run deficit and secure the win.

The Orioles improved their record to 68-69, moving one game below .500 for the first time since April 30. Prior to this series against the last-place Athletics, Baltimore had struggled to win while carrying a sub-.500 record, going 0-7 in such situations dating back to May. With their upcoming series against another struggling team, the Colorado Rockies, the Orioles have an opportunity to post a winning record.

The game opened with Henderson homering off Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs in the first inning, giving Baltimore an early lead. Oakland quickly responded with two runs off starter Chris Bassitt in the bottom of the first. The Athletics extended their lead to 5-1 with an additional run in the second and a two-run home run by catcher Brian Serven in the third.

Bassitt struggled early, throwing 64 pitches over three innings, but the Orioles began their comeback in the fourth when Coby Mayo, Baltimore’s left-handed hitter, launched a three-run homer off Springs. This was Mayo’s 19th home run of the season and his 15th against left-handed pitchers, leading Major League Baseball in that category.

Henderson then delivered a pivotal three-run homer to put Baltimore ahead, increasing his season total to 22, the second-highest on the team behind Pete Alonso’s 32. Henderson’s second home run forced Springs from the game, while Bassitt settled down and finished 5⅔ innings.

The Orioles nearly faced a setback in the eighth inning when Alonso was struck on the helmet by a 94.8 mph fastball from Athletics reliever Kade Morris. Alonso appeared unharmed but was replaced by pinch-runner Jackson Holliday as a precaution.

Baltimore’s victory marks a turning point as they seek to build momentum in the second half of the season, while the Athletics remain mired at the bottom of the standings.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.