Cowser's 3-run homer with 2 outs in 9th gives Orioles 5-3 win, deals Tigers 8th straight loss

BALTIMORE (AP) — Colton Cowser hit a three-run homer off Kenley Jansen with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Detroit 5-3 in a day-night doubleheader opener Sunday that extended the Tigers' losing streak to eight.

Detroit, which lost for the 16th time in 18 games, led 3-1 before Taylor Ward's RBI single in the eighth off Kyle Finnegan. Jansen entered with two on and two outs and retired Pete Alonso on a popout.

As Jansen (1-3) tried for a four-out save, Jackson Holliday walked with one out in the ninth and stole second, and Leody Taveras walked. Jeremiah Jackson popped out, the runners executed a double steal and Cowser drove an 0-2 sinker 440 feet, about six rows into the right-center field seats for his second home run this season.

Jansen, third on the career list with 483 saves, blew a save for the fourth time in 11 chances this season.

Detroit has lost eight straight for the first time since June 2023. The Tigers have not dropped nine in a row since August 2020.

Dietrich Enns (2-0) retired four straight batters on just 11 pitches.

Matt Vierling had three hits for the Tigers.

Gunnar Henderson hit a sixth-inning homer off Framber Valdez, who gave up two hits in six innings.

Baltimore's Brandon Young allowed two unearned runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings.

Detroit took a 2-0 lead after Alonso, with a runner on, allowed Dillon Dingler's looper to drop near first, likely thinking he could help turn a double play, then bounced his throw to second from an error. Vierling followed with an RBI single and Colt Keith hit a sacrifice fly.

Pinch-hitter Spencer Torkelson hit a run-scoring single in the eighth.

Orioles third baseman Coby Mayo was a late scratch because of lower back tightness.

Tigers RHP Troy Melton was to be activated from the 60-day injured list to start the night game after recovering from right elbow inflammation. LHP Trevor Rogers (2-5, 6.87) starts for Baltimore.

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

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser (17) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walkoff three-run home run during the ninth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser (17) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walkoff three-run home run during the ninth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser, center front, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walkoff three-run home run during the ninth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser rounds the bases after hitting a walkoff three-run home run during the ninth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Baltimore Orioles' Colton Cowser hits a walkoff three-run home run during the ninth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The tributes for Kyle Busch started before racing's biggest day of the year officially began.

At Sunday's Indianapolis 500, Dale Coyne Racing changed the font of Romain Grosjean's No. 18 car to replicate the font the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and two-time Brickyard 400 winner used during his 14 seasons with Joe Gibbs Racing in his No. 18 car.

Then came the opening prayer, in which Busch was mentioned by name. And on Lap 18, race officials lit up the scoring pylon next to pit lane with Busch's name, his birth year and 2026.

Even with the pageantry of Indianapolis' big IndyCar race, Busch, who had more wins (234) than anyone across NASCAR’s three national series, was never far from the thoughts of people in the city that dubs itself the “Racing Capital of the World.” The father of two died Thursday at age 41 from what his family said was severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.

“It’s desperately sad. It’s also one of those things where you try not to think about it or let it in because you’ve got so much to do, you can’t let yourself get emotional,” Katherine Legge said Friday after returning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “But honestly, racing has lost one of the greatest drivers, in my opinion, of all time. If you look back at the history and just — he was a legend.”

As Indy held its biggest race of the year, those who knew or competed against Busch raced with a heavy heart.

“How can you not be in shock over the situation?” two-time Indy winner Josef Newgarden said Friday. “I think it just puts into perspective how fragile life is. You just don’t know. Makes me think of his kids, to be honest with you. Gosh, I feel terrible about — I have two sons now. That’s the thing that breaks my heart.”

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

A decal is displayed on Denny Hamlin's car in honor of late driver Kyle Busch prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Helicopters fly over the field on the parade lap before the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

A decal is displayed on the on the truck of Andres Perez De Lara in honor of the late driver Kyle Busch, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Fighter jets fly over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during ceremonies before the start of the Indianapolis 500 auto race, Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

FILE - Kurt Busch waits in his car before practice for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup series Coca-Cola 600 auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Saturday, May 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn, File, File) CORRECTION: Driver ID corrected to Kurt Busch, not Kyle Busch.