Adley Rutschman hit two home runs against his former team, the Baltimore Orioles, in his return to Camden Yards on Thursday night, helping the Boston Red Sox secure a 6-5 victory. The loss put the Orioles 1 ¹/₂ games behind the final wild-card spot in the American League.
Rutschman, who was traded from the Orioles to the Red Sox in early August, hit solo shots in the first and sixth innings. The first homer came in the first inning on a 1-1 pitch from Brandon Young, and the second cut Baltimore's lead to 3-2. It marked Rutschman's 10th home run of the season.
Upon his first at-bat, Rutschman received a standing ovation from the crowd and the Orioles dugout. He was also honored with a video tribute between the first and second innings. "That’s a heck of a way to make a return," Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said. "That was awesome."
Rutschman had previously hit two home runs for the Orioles against Boston on April 24. He is the first major league player to achieve a multihomer game on both sides of the same matchup within the same season, according to OptaSTATS.
Despite battling elbow issues recently, Rutschman was back in the lineup after a three-game absence. Since the trade, he has been batting .193, but this performance may signal a turn in his season. Baltimore drafted Rutschman first overall in 2019, and his arrival coincided with the team's turnaround, including winning the AL East in 2023 and making the playoffs in 2024. However, recent years have seen less success, leading to his trade to Boston before the deadline, despite making his third All-Star team this year.
"A lot of memories, a lot of positive experiences. The people in Baltimore have always treated me with an unbelievable amount of respect and love, and I’ve always felt that when I’ve been here," Rutschman said before the game. "So just a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Rutschman is now in a stronger position for the playoffs with Boston, which is expected to qualify and holds the second wild card. The Orioles, currently in last place in the AL East, still have a chance to make the postseason.
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz noted Rutschman's quick visit to the clubhouse before the game. "A lot of hugs, a lot of crap talk going back and forth. It was good to see him."
