Gunnar Henderson homered and drove in both Baltimore runs Monday, but the Orioles still fell 5-2 to the Rangers in Texas. The 24-year-old was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a strikeout, and he accounted for every bit of Baltimore's offense.
The performance gave Baltimore something to build on after Henderson opened the season 1-for-12 through three games against the Twins. After Monday's loss, he was batting.188 with one homer, two RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base through the first four games of the season.
That line is not where Henderson or Baltimore want it, but the homer was a step forward for a hitter trying to shake off a slow start. For the Orioles, the concern is more immediate: when Henderson is the only run producer, the margin for winning disappears fast.
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The next test is whether Baltimore can get more from the rest of the lineup while Henderson tries to turn one strong night into a sustained stretch at the plate.
