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Cowser and McCann homer twice as Orioles rout Tigers 7-1 to build on AL wild card lead

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Cowser and McCann homer twice as Orioles rout Tigers 7-1 to build on AL wild card lead
Sport

Sport

Cowser and McCann homer twice as Orioles rout Tigers 7-1 to build on AL wild card lead

2024-09-21 12:25 Last Updated At:12:30

BALTIMORE (AP) — Colton Cowser hit his 21st and 22nd home runs, James McCann added his sixth and seventh and the Orioles went deep a season-high five times in a 7-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.

Baltimore remained four games behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees and opened a four-game lead over Kansas City for the top AL wild card. Detroit fell one game behind Minnesota for the final AL wild card.

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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, left, rounds the bases on his home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, left, rounds the bases on his home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, top, celebrates his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game as Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers looks on, at bottom, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, top, celebrates his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game as Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers looks on, at bottom, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero throws during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero throws during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann, second from left, celebrates after his two-run home run with Gunnar Henderson (2) and Coby Mayo (16) as Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers., right, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann, second from left, celebrates after his two-run home run with Gunnar Henderson (2) and Coby Mayo (16) as Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers., right, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann celebrates after his two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann celebrates after his two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, left, tags out Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter, right, as he tried to steal second base during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, left, tags out Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter, right, as he tried to steal second base during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser celebrates his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser celebrates his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann, right, celebrates his home run with Gunnar Henderson (2) during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann, right, celebrates his home run with Gunnar Henderson (2) during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann gestures as he celebrates his home run in front of Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (34) and home plate umpire CB Bucknor, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann gestures as he celebrates his home run in front of Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (34) and home plate umpire CB Bucknor, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Anthony Santander contributed his 43rd round-tripper — his second in as many games — off Tigers opener Tyler Holton (7-2) as the Orioles won consecutive games for the first time in more than two weeks.

“We’ve played good baseball the last two days,” said Corbin Burnes (15-8), who pitched seven shutout innings for a second time in as many games against Detroit. "So now it's just about keeping it going and playing our baseball, and not worrying about what's going on (elsewhere)."

Burnes struck out eight, yielded three hits and three walks, and lowered his ERA to 2.95 as the Orioles opened a three-game set against one of baseball’s hottest teams. The Tigers had won their previous four and nine of their last 11 entering Friday.

Keider Montero struck out seven but yielded Baltimore’s final four homers over five innings of middle relief for the Tigers.

“I told him on the mound, ‘Keep your head high. You’re going to get the ball again in five or six days and you're going to help us win,'" Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said.

Trey Sweeney had a late RBI single for Detroit.

McCann’s second shot sailed into the Baltimore bullpen, where reliever Cionel Perez caught it with an outstretched cap — his sixth such feat this season. That completed Baltimore’s first game with multiple players hitting multiple homers since June of 2021, and brought its season total to 224.

“We haven't had homers in bunches like this in a while, and we did in the first half,” said Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde. “It was a fun night for us offensively."

Detroit played from behind from the start. A miscommunication between outfielders Parker Meadows and Kerry Carpenter gifted Gunnar Henderson a leadoff double.

Three batters later, Santander lined Holton’s 2-2 cutter just over the 398-foot sign in deep left-center to make it 2-0 and set in motion a comfortable victory after his walk-off shot decided Thursday's 5-3 win over San Francisco.

“With two outs, two strikes and he goes deep, that was ... honestly a turning point in the game,” Hyde said. “Getting Burnes with a lead there, a 2-0 lead right away.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: Rookie 3B Colt Keith (right shoulder) returned to the lineup in the DH role after missing Tuesday's game. Manager A.J. Hinch said he could return to playing defense later this series, or in Detroit's next series at home against Tampa Bay.

Orioles: Activated LHP Danny Coulombe (left elbow surgery) from the 60-day injured list and placed RHP Burch Smith (right groin strain) on the 15-day injured list. Coulombe worked a scoreless eighth. ... Held out OF Cedric Mullins (neck discomfort) after his involvement in an outfield collision on Thursday. ... Sent 1B Ryan Mountcastle to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk.

UP NEXT

Orioles Rookie LHP Cade Povich (2-9. 5.74 ERA) tries to build on a promising September in which he's pitched to a 3.18 ERA over three starts. The Tigers send out another opener in RHP Reese Olson (4-8, 3.50).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, left, rounds the bases on his home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, left, rounds the bases on his home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, top, celebrates his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game as Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers looks on, at bottom, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, top, celebrates his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game as Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers looks on, at bottom, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero throws during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero throws during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann, second from left, celebrates after his two-run home run with Gunnar Henderson (2) and Coby Mayo (16) as Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers., right, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann, second from left, celebrates after his two-run home run with Gunnar Henderson (2) and Coby Mayo (16) as Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers., right, looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann celebrates after his two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann celebrates after his two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, left, tags out Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter, right, as he tried to steal second base during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, left, tags out Detroit Tigers' Kerry Carpenter, right, as he tried to steal second base during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser celebrates his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser celebrates his home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann, right, celebrates his home run with Gunnar Henderson (2) during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann, right, celebrates his home run with Gunnar Henderson (2) during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann gestures as he celebrates his home run in front of Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (34) and home plate umpire CB Bucknor, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Orioles' James McCann gestures as he celebrates his home run in front of Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (34) and home plate umpire CB Bucknor, right, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

SAO PAULO (AP) — British driver Lewis Hamilton has won seven Formula One titles, holds multiple records and has clocked some of the fastest laps in history. But the greatest honor of his career, according to the 39-year-old, came on Sunday as he drove the late Ayrton Senna’s title-winning car around Interlagos ahead of this afternoon’s Brazilian Grand Prix.

Some fans in the stands had tears in their eyes as Hamilton knelt in front of the car in reverence.

Wearing an all white racing suit, Hamilton took some laps under falling rain in the historic McLaren MP4/5B that Senna drove during his 1990 title campaign, in which he beat Ferrari's Alain Prost. The Mercedes driver was shown the checkered flag by Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Rebeca Andrade as he carried a Brazilian flag with his right hand, mimicking what the legendary three-time champion did after many of his victories.

Senna died after the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. His legacy is ever present at Interlagos, where he won in 1991 and 1993.

“It is very emotional, naturally,” said Hamilton as he held the Brazilian flag on his back. “I was revisiting my childhood as I watched Ayrton racing here. I can't believe I am having this opportunity.

“It is the greatest honor of my career to do it in front of this amazing crowd in Brazil,” said Hamilton, who in 2022 became an honorary Brazilian citizen by a motion of the country's congress.

During his time at McLaren, Hamilton drove Senna’s MP4/4 car around Silverstone in 2009 for a British TV program.

On his social media channels, the British driver added that the weekend is not going his way so far, but he could still enjoy the moment with Senna's car.

“I won my first championship here, had my best ever drive here, and now to be in this country as an honorary citizen driving my hero’s car is almost too much to comprehend. It doesn’t feel real,” he said. “It’s a massive honour and one that I’ll look back on as one of the highlights of my life.”

Struggling with Mercedes this season, the British driver jokingly said he had “the best drive in the whole weekend.” He will start Sunday's race 14th. Heavy rain in Sao Paulo delayed much of Saturday's action to Sunday morning, including the tribute to Senna.

“I would race with that car today if I could,” Hamilton said. The British driver, who will move to Ferrari next season, is sixth in the drivers' championship.

Luciane D'Angelo, 45, was one of the tearful fans watching Hamilton drive at Interlagos. As a child, she used to watch F1 races with her father, who currently suffers from a serious disease she did not disclose.

“I cry because Ayrton's tragic death still leaves us with this massive void. He made children of that time enjoy their Sundays with their families even more. He wasn't only one of the greatest F1 drivers in history, but also a person that every Brazilian learned to admire,” she said.

Earlier this year, four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel drove Senna's 1993 McLaren at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as part of tributes to the Brazilian driver on the 30th anniversary of his death.

Former Brazilian drivers were split about handing the tribute to Senna to his hardcore fan Hamilton. Rubens Barrichello said a Brazilian driver who shared some time in F1 with the three-time champion would have been a better choice.

Two-time champion Emerson Fittipaldi said in an interview that it was “unethical” for organizers to pick the British driver. But Felipe Massa, who lost the 2008 title to Hamilton near the end of that year's race at Interlagos, agreed with the move.

“Of course I wanted to drive it myself. But I respect the decision of the Senna family, fans will love to watch a big fan of Ayrton's like Hamilton driving his car here,” Massa said on Saturday. “At the end, every driver would love to have that honor.”

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, waves to fans after driving the car of legendary driver Ayrton Senna prior the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, waves to fans after driving the car of legendary driver Ayrton Senna prior the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, center, waves to fans after driving the car of legendary driver Ayrton Senna prior the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, center, waves to fans after driving the car of legendary driver Ayrton Senna prior the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, drives the car of legendary driver Ayrton Senna prior the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, drives the car of legendary driver Ayrton Senna prior the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)

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