Santander and Henderson engaging in own home run race

The line drive down the left field line Saturday night, producing another Orioles run in the eighth inning, gave Anthony Santander 30 doubles. Six more than his career highs in the two previous seasons.

A total that he probably hasn’t tracked.

What he does know, however, is a home run total that stands at 24 going into tonight’s series opener against the White Sox at Camden Yards.

Santander and Gunnar Henderson are engaged in a mostly playful but also spirited competition for the team lead in homers. Santander began to pull away after hitting three in two nights, but in a typical reflex response, Henderson lined a go-ahead, two-run shot onto the flag court in the eighth inning Friday night – sending the crowd into a frenzy before closer Félix Bautista’s elbow injury slaughtered the vibe.

Henderson has 22 to stay within reach of Santander, who is coaxing the rookie to pick up the pace.

“I tell him that he needs to hit another one,” Santander said, smiling.

Otherwise, get left in the infield dust.

Without prompting, Santander shared the number that he’s chasing as part of this race.

“It’s 33,” he said, another smile creasing his face.

Nine more are needed to match his career high set last year. Santander wants to blow past it, taking Henderson with him. Just close enough to be the runner-up.

“Every time I hit one, he says, ‘Thank you,’ because he knows that he’s going to keep going,” Henderson said. “And then, whenever he hits one, I say, ‘Well, now you’re giving me a way to hit another one.’ It’s just fun sitting there going back and forth it seems like the whole year.”

Santander has been in the organization since the Orioles selected him in the 2016 Rule 5 draft, making him a grizzled veteran in a clubhouse with a hard lean toward youth. Henderson made his major league debut on Aug. 31. Santander turns 29 in October, making him seven years older.

Age and experience don’t create divides among the players. They share interests and common goals, like making the playoffs and winning a World Series. And they build friendships.

The team home run chase, with hot-hitting Ryan Mountcastle third after launching his 18^th on Friday, is another way for them to bond.

Henderson is told of Santander’s quest to surpass last summer’s total and is enthused. Where Santander goes, he goes. Or at least within proximity.

“Man, I hope so, because if he goes for his career high, that means I’m going to be up there,” Henderson said. “I think it’s over 30, so 30 would be pretty sweet.”