Stowers records career-high 4 RBIs as O's reach five straight wins

BALTIMORE -- When Kyle Stowers stepped into the Orioles’ clubhouse on May 13, it was different from the previous times he’d reached the big leagues. Moments after the 26-year-old outfielder arrived, he expressed how he already felt “more comfortable.”

No nerves like he had during his 34-game debut stint in 2022. No pressure of Opening Day, which he experienced for the first time after breaking camp with Baltimore in ‘23.

Just motivation to make sure he won’t be returning to Triple-A Norfolk anytime soon. And if Stowers can consistently play like he did Monday afternoon, the former top prospect could make that a reality.

Stowers delivered the best performance of his 57-game MLB tenure, recording a career-high four RBIs in a 3-for-4 showing that helped power the Orioles to a series-opening 11-3 win over the Red Sox at Camden Yards. It was the second three-hit game of Stowers’ big league career, the first of which also came vs. Boston (a 3-for-5 effort at Fenway Park on Sept. 26, 2022).

Baltimore (34-18) extended its winning streak to a season-high five games and improved to a season-best 16 games above .500.

“Really fun for me to have a big day, fun for the team to get a win,” Stowers said. “A long road for me to get back here from last year, so just cool to have a big moment today. Most importantly, happy to get the win.”

It’s been tough for Stowers to get consistent playing time whenever he’s been on the Orioles’ 26-man active roster, especially last year. The 2019 second-round Draft pick went 2-for-30 in 14 games over two separate stints early in ‘23, then never got called back up during a season in which he missed time due to a fractured nose and a right shoulder injury.

Stowers was part of a crowded outfield mix again in Spring Training this year. Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander were locks to make the team, while Colton Cowser won the available fourth spot. Stowers’ big spring (seven home runs and a 1.011 OPS in 19 games) wasn’t enough for him to avoid a return to Norfolk.

Two weeks ago, Stowers (who had 11 homers and an .856 OPS in 36 Triple-A games) got the call back up to Baltimore when the O’s decided to send Heston Kjerstad (the club’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline) back to Triple-A for more reps.

Entering Saturday, Stowers had made only two starts amid seven appearances upon his return. He’s since started two of the Orioles’ past three games, going a combined 5-for-8.

“He’s taking good at-bats and staying on the baseball really well,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s got huge power, and he hasn’t even shown that yet. But he can use the whole field and drives the baseball.”

On Monday, the left-handed-hitting Stowers came up with the bases loaded and no outs in the fourth, then belted a two-run double the opposite way to deep left during a five-run rally. He doubled again in the sixth -- ripping a ball to the right-center-field gap -- and later added a two-run single up the middle in a four-run seventh.

Despite not starting regularly, Stowers said he has stayed sharp by getting as many “game-like reps” as possible in the batting cage. More playing time could be on the horizon, especially with other outfielders struggling, such as Hays (a .169 average and a .442 OPS in 29 games) and Santander (.201 and .709 OPS in 48 games), who were both out of the lineup Monday.

Mullins contributed a two-run triple, but he’s still hitting only .195 through 49 games.

Whenever Stowers is called upon, he’ll be ready.

“Playing with a lot of confidence, a lot of gratitude, and honestly, just playing,” Stowers said. “I’m just playing the game.”

With a 13-hit offensive attack and five scoreless innings from starter Cole Irvin, Baltimore improved to 8-2 in American League East games this season, including 4-0 vs. Boston. The O’s next 13 contests will all be divisional matchups, with two more against the Red Sox followed by 11 straight against the Rays and Blue Jays.

It could be a promising stretch for Baltimore, which is 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees for the division lead. Since the start of 2023, the Orioles have a 40-22 divisional record, the best of any AL team.

“Division games are huge. We want to win the division, and those games are extra competitive because you know the guys very well, you’ve seen them,” Stowers said. “Definitely added energy, and so we’re excited to keep getting some wins.”