Houston — The Baltimore Orioles delivered a commanding performance against the Houston Astros, securing a 12-0 victory on August 17, 2025, at Daikin Park. Jordan Westburg led the offensive charge with a career-high five runs batted in, including a three-run home run, while Dean Kremer anchored the pitching staff with seven scoreless innings. The win improved the Baltimore Orioles’ record to 57-67, keeping them in fifth place in the American League East, 12 games behind the division leader.
Kremer, earning his ninth win of the season against nine losses, limited the Astros to three hits and struck out seven batters over 114 pitches, 72 of which were strikes. The right-hander induced eight groundouts and two flyouts, facing 24 batters in total. Relievers Grant Wolfram and Cody Martin followed with one inning each, combining for five strikeouts and no runs allowed. The Baltimore Orioles’ defense supported the effort, turning a double play in the process.
Offensively, the Baltimore Orioles exploded for 14 hits, capitalizing on Houston’s pitching struggles. Westburg went 5-for-5, including his 15th home run of the year, a fly ball to right-center in the fifth inning that scored Jeremiah Jackson and Jackson Holliday, extending the lead to 5-0. His performance boosted his season batting average to .277 with 34 runs batted in. Holliday contributed four hits and two walks, scoring three times and driving in one run with a single in the fifth that plated Dylan Beavers.
The scoring began in the third inning when Gunnar Henderson hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Jeremiah Jackson for a 1-0 lead. The Baltimore Orioles added four more in the fifth, highlighted by Westburg’s homer off reliever Shawn Dubin. In the seventh, Westburg singled to score Jeremiah Jackson again, and Adley Rutschman grounded out to drive in Holliday, pushing the score to 7-0. The eighth inning saw the Baltimore Orioles tack on five runs against Jordan Weems and Enyel De Los Santos. Westburg singled to score Coby Mayo, Henderson walked in Beavers, Rutschman singled to plate Holliday, and Samuel Basallo lined a single to center, scoring Westburg and Henderson for the final 12-0 margin.
Basallo, in his role as designated hitter, recorded four hits and two runs batted in, while Mayo doubled and singled, reaching base three times. Jeremiah Jackson had five hits in five at-bats, scoring three runs. The Baltimore Orioles went 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base, demonstrating efficient hitting throughout the lineup.
On the mound for the Astros, Cristian Javier took the loss, falling to 1-1 after allowing three hits and one run over three innings, with two strikeouts. Relievers Dubin, Steven Okert, Kaleb Ort, Weems, De Los Santos, and Chas McCormick combined to surrender 11 runs on 11 hits. Houston managed only six hits, with Yainer Diaz recording two, but stranded six runners and hit 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The Astros, leaders in the American League West at 69-55, committed no errors but could not generate momentum against the Baltimore Orioles’ pitching.
This matchup marked another road challenge for the Baltimore Orioles in a season where they have struggled to maintain consistency, sitting well out of playoff contention with a 0.1 percent chance of postseason qualification according to recent projections
Kremer’s outing lowered his earned run average to 3.97, continuing a strong stretch where he has allowed one earned run or fewer in seven of his last 11 starts. Westburg’s multi-hit game aligns with his solid 2025 campaign, where he has maintained an .802 on-base plus slugging percentage.
This victory provides a highlight in a rebuilding year for the Baltimore Orioles, who entered 2025 with high expectations around their young core but have faced challenges, as noted in mid-season analyses.
The Baltimore Orioles’ shutout extends a pattern of strong pitching performances against Houston, offering a glimpse of potential for the remainder of the season. As the Baltimore Orioles continue their road trip, this dominant win could serve as a momentum builder.
