O's drop trip opener, Henderson's great double play, Walker remembers time with O's

PHOENIX - On night one of a three-city, nine-game road trip, the O's offense fell flat but Gunnar Henderson reminded us why he has become the leading contender in the eyes of many for American League Rookie of the Year.

Playing shortstop, Henderson, running with his back to the infield, made an over-the-shoulder catch in the last of the fourth and then threw home to double up Corbin Carroll, who tagged up at third and tried to score. 

One Rookie of the Year candidate nabbed another. 

“He’s one of the best rookies in the game right now," O's starter Cole Irvin said. "He’s just exciting to watch. Brings the energy, plays hard. I think if there is any time Gunnar showed who he is, it’s when he could have had the cycle (needing only a single to complete the cycle, Henderson nonetheless went to second on his hit into the right field corner in the Orioles' 12-1 win over the Athletics on Aug. 20). He plays hard and plays the right way. He’s definitely awesome to have."

Henderson made the play yesterday sound easy. It was far from that.

“Obviously, soft hit. Was running back there and at the last second I checked to see if Haysie (left fielder Austin Hays) was going to be there and I saw that he wasn’t really close to it. So I turned back to it and I caught it and was able to get both outs.

“Corbin is very fast. But honestly, saved a run for Irv and was really excited for him.”

Does Henderson ever practice such a catch?

“No. sir. That just comes kind of instinctively," he said. 

He's played outstanding defense at two spots, but his first love seems to be at shortstop.

“I feel like Cal (Ripken) was a tall shortstop, and (Corey) Seager is a tall shortstop as well. Felt like they kind of paved the way for that, and just feel like I am trying to prove that and show that I can play shortstop.”

He can.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Friday's twin killing was a great play on one end and a great fake of a play on the other.

“Just so athletic to be able to catch it going back and spin and make an accurate throw there with a plus runner at third base, and then Adley (Rutschman) with a great kind of a deke and tag there. The way he positioned himself, there wasn’t going to be a play and then at the last minute, catch and tag.”

Ryan O'Hearn drove in both O's runs, but they were held to eight hits and went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Christian Walker hit two-run homers off Irvin as Arizona got the series-opening win.

Tampa Bay also lost, so the O's lead atop the AL East remains 1 1/2 games.

The O's are now 83-51 overall, 41-25 on the road, 3-10 all-time at Chase Field and 29-16 in the second half. For more on the game, click here.

Walker remembers time as an Oriole: Walker, the Orioles’ fourth-round draft pick in 2012 out of the University of South Carolina, played his fourth career game last night versus his original team. He hasn’t played for the Orioles since the 2015 season, or in their organization since time at Triple-A Norfolk in 2016.

Waived by a few teams in the spring of 2017, he finally found his way to Arizona, and here with the Diamondbacks he has found a big league home and become a big slugger. He hit 36 homers and won a Gold Glove last year, and this season he began Friday night with 28 homers, 87 RBIs and an .863 OPS. He was also tied for 10^th in the National League in homers, tied for seventh in RBIs and 10^th in OPS.

“It’s cool playing against them,” Walker said of facing the Orioles. “I’d say now the focus goes to more of them being a good, young, vibrant team. There are no hard feelings or anything. Different front office and staff now.”

But Walker at times still feels his O’s roots.

“A lot of those guys I still have relationships with. Even though some teammates and staff are in different places," he said. "I still get a chance to see, like, (former O’s coach) Bobby Dickerson and others who were early in my career professional relationships. To see guys around the league like Trey Mancini and Mike Yastrzemski. You know T.J. McFarland, we both came from Baltimore and ended up here at one point together (McFarland is now back in the Orioles organization). When I think back to those days it’s more about the relationships than anything.”

As Walker got older and more experienced, he sure got better. What finally clicked for him?

“I think just exposure. Exposure to the league and the competition," he said. "I got a chance to be around guys like Paul Goldschmit and Nick Ahmed. Good players, good defenders, professionals and good teammates. And there are lot of guys I learned from over the years who showed me what it takes at this level. Teammates who did it the way it should be done.”

To now be both a top slugger and defender is important to the first baseman.

“It means a lot. I’m proud of that," Walker said. "A lot of hard work, a lot of reps and I feel like I’m still growing and learning. There are a lot of at-bats to still get and learn from. I feel fortunate and blessed.”

Click here for another look at Henderson's double play catch and throw.