Henderson's Historic Homer
Gunnar Henderson Hits 100th Career Homer as Orioles Extend Win Streak to Five
Gunnar Henderson hit his 100th career home run on Friday night, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the San Diego Padres 7-3 at Petco Park, according to AP News. The win was Baltimore's fifth straight. Henderson, just 24 years old, now ties Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. for the most home runs by an Oriole before turning 25.
Henderson had a three-hit night overall. Samuel Basallo also homered, giving Baltimore two long balls in a game they put away early. The Orioles scored six of their seven runs in the first two innings.
Henderson Ties Ripken With Historic 100th Homer
Henderson hit his milestone shot in the second inning, a 412-foot blast to right-center at 108.5 mph exit velocity, according to Statcast. The solo home run pushed Baltimore's lead to 4-1. It tied Cal Ripken Jr.'s record for home runs by an Oriole before age 25 — a mark Ripken set in 1985.
Henderson does not turn 25 until June 2027, meaning he still has a full year to break the record outright. "Tying a name like Cal Ripken Jr. is surreal," Henderson said, per Newsday. "To have my name next to his in any capacity is an honor, but the win and the five-game streak mean more for the clubhouse right now."
Basallo's Two-Run Blast Sets the Tone Early
The Orioles wasted no time. In the top of the first, 21-year-old catcher Samuel Basallo hit a two-run homer, scoring Henderson. A follow-up RBI single made it 3-0 before the Padres batted. San Diego got one run back in the bottom of the first, but Baltimore answered with three more in the second, per LMT Online.
Basallo's emergence has given Henderson real lineup protection. Pitchers can no longer simply pitch around Henderson without facing a dangerous bat right behind him. The two young stars give Baltimore a core that could anchor the AL East for years.
Baltimore Bullpen Shuts the Door on San Diego
After the Orioles built a big early lead, their pitchers locked things down. Shane Baz, Anthony Nunez, Keegan Akin, and Yennier Cano combined for four scoreless innings, according to KDH News. The Padres managed just two more runs all night, finishing at 7-3.
Andrew Kittredge pitched a scoreless ninth for San Diego, but the game was long decided. The Padres fall to 34-36, while Baltimore improves to 48-22 and holds a 4.5-game lead in the AL East. San Diego's struggles early in games have been a recurring problem this season, according to The Star Democrat.
Henderson's Milestone Raises Stakes for Contract Talks
Hitting 100 career home runs at 24 is rare. ESPN's Buster Olney called Henderson "a generational talent reaching maturity faster than anyone anticipated" and named him the frontrunner for AL MVP. Henderson also leads the league in Defensive Runs Saved at shortstop.
The milestone is expected to drive up Henderson's contract value significantly. Analysts project a future deal in the range of $350 million to $400 million over ten or more years, according to NH Register. This All-Star voting cycle, the homer likely cements him as the AL's starting shortstop in the 2026 Midsummer Classic.
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