UPDATE: Baltimore Orioles rookie right-hander Brandon Young came tantalizingly close to making history on Friday night, losing his bid for the first perfect game in Orioles history with just four outs remaining against the Houston Astros.
In a stunning performance, Young retired the first 23 batters he faced before his perfect game was shattered by a slow grounder from Astros second baseman Ramon Urìas. With two outs in the eighth inning, Urìas, making his first appearance against the Orioles since being traded last month, hit a weak 56 mph grounder between the mound and third base line. Young fielded the ball, but his off-balanced throw sailed wide of first base, resulting in an infield single.
This near-perfect outing marks the longest bid for a perfect game in Baltimore since Mike Mussina had his own broken up with two outs in the eighth against Detroit in 1998, according to ESPN Research. Young showcased his skills by striking out the next batter to end the eighth, finishing with a career-high eight innings pitched and matching his career best with six strikeouts.
Young, a native of Lumberton, Texas, entered the game with a shaky record of 0-6 and a 6.70 ERA through his first ten starts. However, he dazzled fans and teammates alike with his remarkable control and poise on the mound.
In the ninth inning, Yaramil Hiraldo came in to retire the side in order, preserving the Orioles’ first one-hitter since May 24, 2024. The Orioles capped off the night with a solid 7-0 victory over the Astros.
Astros starter Framber Valdez (11-6) kept the Orioles at bay until the fourth inning when Coby Mayo launched a two-out, solo home run, breaking the scoreless tie and paving the way for the Orioles’ dominant performance.
This near-historic game is sure to be a talking point among Orioles fans and the broader baseball community as Young’s trajectory in Major League Baseball continues to develop. With this impressive outing, all eyes will be on Young as he aims to build on this momentum in his future starts.
Stay tuned for more updates on Brandon Young and the Baltimore Orioles as the season progresses.