The Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants clashed in a memorable interleague series in September 2024 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, delivering a mix of dominant pitching, clutch hitting, and game-changing moments. These games, part of the 2024 MLB regular season, showcased the strengths of both teams as the Orioles fought for the AL East crown and the Giants aimed to finish strong despite being out of playoff contention. This article dives deep into the player stats, standout performances, and key moments from their September 17–19, 2024, matchups, offering a detailed breakdown for baseball fans eager to relive the excitement.
Game 1: Giants Dominate with Snell’s Mastery (September 17, 2024)
The series opener saw the San Francisco Giants cruise to a 10-0 victory, powered by Blake Snell’s stellar pitching and a relentless offensive outburst. The game, attended by 23,856 fans, lasted 2 hours and 36 minutes and highlighted the Giants’ ability to capitalize on Baltimore’s struggles.
Key Player Stats: Giants
- Blake Snell (P): Snell was the star of the night, striking out 12 batters over 6 innings while allowing just 1 hit and no runs. His pinpoint accuracy and devastating breaking pitches overwhelmed the Orioles’ lineup, earning him the win and dropping his ERA to an impressive 3.52 for the season.
- Mike Yastrzemski (RF): Yastrzemski ignited the Giants’ offense with a solo home run in the first inning, finishing 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs. His early homer set the tone, and his consistent hitting kept Baltimore’s pitchers under pressure.
- Brett Wisely (2B): Wisely contributed a sacrifice fly and went 1-for-3, adding an RBI to the Giants’ tally. His smart at-bats helped sustain rallies in the middle innings.
- Donovan Walton (SS): Walton chipped in with an RBI single, going 1-for-4, as the Giants piled on runs in the ninth inning to seal the shutout.
Key Player Stats: Orioles
- Albert Suarez (P): Suarez struggled mightily, lasting only 2 innings and surrendering 3 runs on 4 hits. His early exit put the Orioles in a hole they couldn’t climb out of.
- Craig Kimbrel (P): Kimbrel’s relief appearance was disastrous, giving up 6 earned runs in the ninth inning as the Giants blew the game open. His struggles underscored Baltimore’s bullpen woes in this matchup.
- Adley Rutschman (C): Rutschman, one of Baltimore’s brightest stars, went 0-for-3, unable to solve Snell’s pitching. The Orioles’ offense managed just 3 hits total, highlighting their difficulty against elite pitching.
Game Highlights
The Giants struck early with Yastrzemski’s homer, and their offense exploded for 6 runs in the ninth, capitalizing on Kimbrel’s collapse. Snell’s 12 strikeouts tied his season high, and the Giants’ defense, anchored by Brandon Crawford’s steady play at shortstop, ensured no comeback was possible. The Orioles, trailing the Yankees by three games in the AL East, looked flat, unable to generate any offensive momentum.
Game 2: Giants Edge Orioles in Tight Contest (September 18, 2024)
The second game was a closer affair, with the Giants prevailing 5-3 in front of 23,181 fans. The 2-hour-36-minute game showcased competitive pitching and timely hitting, though Baltimore’s late rally fell short.
Key Player Stats: Giants
- Logan Webb (P): Webb delivered a quality start, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits with 6 strikeouts. His sinker-heavy approach induced ground balls, though the Orioles found gaps late.
- Michael Conforto (LF): Conforto provided a spark with a 2-run home run in the fourth inning, finishing 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs. His 18th homer of the season gave the Giants a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
- Tyler Fitzgerald (CF): Fitzgerald went 2-for-4, scoring twice and adding a double. His speed on the bases kept Baltimore’s defense on edge.
- Camilo Doval (P): Doval closed the game with a perfect ninth, striking out 2 to earn the save and preserve the Giants’ lead.
Key Player Stats: Orioles
- Zach Eflin (P): Eflin pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts. Despite the loss, he kept the game close, giving Baltimore a chance to rally.
- Cedric Mullins (CF): Mullins went 2-for-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs. His fourth-inning blast narrowed the gap, but the Orioles couldn’t capitalize further.
- Gunnar Henderson (SS): Henderson was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. His defensive play, including a momentum-shifting double play, kept the Orioles in the game.
- Adley Rutschman (C): Rutschman went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, showing his offensive consistency despite the loss.
Game Highlights
Conforto’s two-run homer off Eflin in the fourth gave the Giants a 3-1 lead, but Mullins’ solo shot in the same inning kept Baltimore close. The Giants added insurance runs in the seventh, and Doval’s dominant ninth shut the door. The Orioles’ offense showed signs of life, but their 7-for-31 performance with runners in scoring position underscored their struggles in clutch moments.
Game 3: Orioles Walk Off with Santander’s Heroics (September 19, 2024)
The series finale was a thriller, with the Orioles securing a 5-3 victory thanks to Anthony Santander’s walk-off two-run homer in the ninth. The 23,181 fans at Camden Yards erupted as Baltimore salvaged the series, finishing the game in 2 hours and 48 minutes.
Key Player Stats: Orioles
- Anthony Santander (RF): Santander was the hero, going 2-for-4 with a game-ending two-run homer in the ninth—his 42nd of the season. His 3 RBIs and clutch performance lifted the Orioles closer to a postseason berth.
- Adley Rutschman (C): Rutschman went 3-for-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs. His fifth-inning homer gave Baltimore a lead, and his plate discipline set the stage for Santander’s heroics.
- Félix Bautista (P): Bautista pitched 2 scoreless innings, striking out 3 to keep the Giants at bay. His high-octane fastballs were unhittable, earning him the win.
- Dean Kremer (P): Kremer started and went 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts. His solid outing kept the game within reach.
Key Player Stats: Giants
- Logan Webb (P): Webb pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 7 strikeouts. Despite a strong effort, he took a no-decision as the Giants’ bullpen faltered late.
- Michael Conforto (LF): Conforto hit another two-run homer, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs. His fourth-inning blast tied the game, but the Giants couldn’t hold the lead.
- Tyler Rogers (P): Rogers took the loss, surrendering Santander’s walk-off homer in the ninth. He pitched 1 inning, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits.
- Joc Pederson (DH): Pederson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, his 22nd of the season, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Giants ahead.
Game Highlights
The game was a back-and-forth battle, with Rutschman’s fifth-inning homer giving Baltimore a 2-0 lead. Conforto’s two-run shot in the fourth tied it, and Pederson’s homer in the seventh gave the Giants a 3-2 edge. The Orioles rallied in the eighth to tie the score, and Santander’s ninth-inning blast off Rogers sent Camden Yards into a frenzy. Bautista’s relief work was pivotal, shutting down the Giants’ offense to set up the dramatic finish.
Head-to-Head Trends and Insights
Over the three-game series, the Giants won 2-1, but the Orioles’ walk-off victory in the finale showcased their resilience. Here are some key statistical trends:
- Batting: The Orioles’ top hitters—Rutschman (8-for-12, 1 HR, 3 RBIs), Santander (5-for-12, 1 HR, 6 RBIs), and Mullins (5-for-12, 1 HR, 3 RBIs)—drove the offense, but their lineup struggled against Snell in Game 1. The Giants relied on Conforto (6-for-12, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs) and Yastrzemski (4-for-11, 1 HR, 3 RBIs) for power.
- Pitching: Snell’s 12-strikeout masterpiece in Game 1 was the series’ defining performance, while Webb’s consistency (12.1 IP, 7 ER, 13 Ks) kept the Giants competitive. For Baltimore, Bautista’s relief work (3 IP, 0 ER, 5 Ks) and Eflin’s quality start in Game 2 stood out.
- Defense: Henderson’s double plays and Mullins’ speed in center field bolstered Baltimore’s defense, while Crawford’s veteran presence stabilized the Giants’ infield. Both teams executed well, with no errors in the series.
- Camden Yards Factor: The park’s hitter-friendly reputation was tempered by its extended left-field wall, reducing home run rates by 28% since 2022. This favored pitchers like Snell and Webb, though Santander and Conforto still cleared the fences.
Historically, the Orioles and Giants have split their matchups evenly, with Baltimore holding a 10-9 edge in 19 games since 2002. The Giants averaged 4.2 runs per game to Baltimore’s 3.8, reflecting their slight offensive edge.
Standout Performers
- Adley Rutschman (Orioles): His 8-for-12 series, including a homer and multiple RBIs, showcased his status as a rising star. His plate discipline and defensive work behind the plate were critical.
- Anthony Santander (Orioles): Santander’s walk-off homer and 6 RBIs made him the series’ clutch performer, reinforcing his value as Baltimore’s power-hitting leader.
- Blake Snell (Giants): Snell’s Game 1 dominance (12 Ks, 1 hit) was a reminder of his Cy Young pedigree, single-handedly stifling Baltimore’s offense.
- Michael Conforto (Giants): Conforto’s two homers and 4 RBIs provided the Giants’ offensive spark, keeping them competitive in tight games.
Looking Ahead
The Orioles, with a 44-37 home record in 2024, showed resilience despite offensive inconsistencies. Their 6-12 interleague record highlights a need for better performance against NL teams, but their young core—Rutschman, Henderson, and Mullins—bodes well for 2025. The Giants, finishing 35-46 on the road, leaned on veterans like Snell and Webb to stay competitive. Their 11-9 interleague record suggests an edge in cross-league play, but bullpen struggles (e.g., Rogers’ blown save) need addressing.
The August 29, 2025, matchup at Oracle Park offers another chance for these teams to clash. With Baltimore’s home-field advantage neutralized, the Giants’ pitching could again be the difference, though the Orioles’ power hitters will look to exploit Oracle’s hitter-friendly dimensions.
Final Thoughts
The September 2024 series between the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants was a microcosm of baseball’s beauty—dominant pitching, timely power, and dramatic finishes. From Snell’s masterpiece to Santander’s walk-off heroics, the player stats tell a story of resilience, skill, and heart. As both teams gear up for 2025, fans can expect more electrifying moments when these two storied franchises meet again. For the latest stats and updates, check official team sites like mlb.com or baseball-reference.com before the next pitch.
