Samuel Basallo gives Orioles fans something to cheer about in 10-7 loss to Astros

Jacob Calvin Meyer, The Baltimore Sun on Aug 22, 2025

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

BALTIMORE — Samuel Basallo wasn’t in the lineup Friday. He had more important business to tend to earlier in the day.

The 21-year-old top prospect and the Orioles finalized a long-term contract extension — the first of the Mike Elias era — in the afternoon. In the morning, Basallo underwent a rigorous physical examination as part of signing the eight-year, $67 million deal, and he was kept out of the lineup as a result.

Still, Baltimore fans at Camden Yards had two opportunities to let Basallo know what his commitment to the city — and the club’s to him — meant to them. Both times they left no doubt, rising to their feet and giving a standing ovation worthy of the player he is and could become.

The night ended like most this season — with an Orioles loss. This one was 10-7 against the Houston Astros.

This Orioles season, perhaps the most disappointing in franchise history, has produced plenty of ugly losses, bullpen blowups and failed comeback attempts. Friday’s defeat featured all three.

But for just one day, what happened on the field didn’t matter. For years, Orioles fans have been clamoring for Elias and his front office to finally sign a player to an extension and show the fan base it’s committed to keeping young stars in Baltimore.

Friday, it finally happened, and fans responded in kind. Early in the game, a message congratulating Basallo appeared on the videoboard, and fans demanded a curtain call from the young slugger. Several innings later, Basallo came off the bench to pinch hit, and fans once again gave a standing ovation.

Basallo (0 for 2 with two strikeouts) and the offense couldn’t come through late, though, to overcome the bullpen’s mishaps. After starter Cade Povich struggled, Yennier Cano entered in the fifth and immediately surrendered a three-run homer to former Oriole Christian Walker that put the American League West-leading Astros up 7-3 after. Matt Bowman and Corbin Martin combined to allow three runs in the final three innings.

An offense led by Jeremiah Jackson, Alex Jackson, Luis Vázquez and Vimael Machín put up 13 hits and seven runs. That quartet combined for seven hits and five RBIs. Machín entered late in his first game on the Orioles’ roster — and his first game in the major leagues since 2022 — and hit a solo homer. Colton Cowser also homered in the seventh.

Instant analysis

Three months ago, Cano was still seen as a dominant reliever. Now, whether he’s part of the Orioles’ 2026 bullpen is in doubt.

Cano had a 0.00 ERA across his first 12 appearances through May 3. Since, he’s posted a 7.27 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 34 2/3 innings. He’s allowed more runs over that span (29) than he did in 2023 when he was an All-Star (17 runs in 72 2/3 innings) and in 2024 when he was a solid setup man (21 runs in 60 innings).

Cano’s velocity is down a tick, his sinker is no longer unhittable and a change-up that was his best offspeed pitch is now among the worst in baseball.

The end to the 2025 season has been billed as a way for the organization to assess what it has in many of its young or lesser-known players. Is Basallo a catcher in the future? Is Dylan Beavers good enough to be a starting corner outfielder next season? Can Dietrich Enns or Kade Strowd earn spots in the bullpen?

Add Cano to that list. What happened here? And can he get back on track before next season?

On deck

The Orioles (59-69) will attempt to prevent a third straight loss Saturday night when Dean Kremer pitches opposite Astros right-hander Cristian Javier.