BALTIMORE, Md. (WAVY) — Playing in their first playoff game since 2014, the Baltimore Orioles and their fans were pumped up for Game 1 of their American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers.
It didn’t matter that the first pitch was delayed by more than hour, as the 46,450 orange-clad fans brought the energy to Oriole Park at Camden Yards Saturday, but it wasn’t quite enough as the Rangers held off the Orioles 3-2.
Texas got on the board first in the top of the fourth, with Evan Carter’s double to right driving in Adrlis Garcia and Jonah Heim driving in Carter on a single.
Fans waving rally towels during Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles fans reacting to during the first inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 
Fans reacting prior to the start of Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 
Former Orioles baseball player Adam Jones reacting to the fans prior to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish (39) throwing against the Texas Rangers during the first inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles Anthony Santander hitting a home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. Behind the plate are Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) and home plate umpire Lance Barrett. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander (25) hitting a home run against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander (25) hits a single off Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (44) during the first inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and pitcher Kyle Bradish (39) during the third inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Tommy King of Catonsville, Md., arrives with his son Brady, 6, before Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 
Fans hold up a sign for Baltimore Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown during Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher DL Hall (24) throws in the eighth inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles mascot on the field prior to the start of Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 
Fans standing during the playing of the National Anthem prior to the start of Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc reacts after the final out against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. Texas won 3-2. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jacob Webb (66) throws against Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (2) during the sixth inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and pitcher Kyle Bradish (39) during the third inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Cionel Perez (58) reacting while pitching in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Danny Coulombe (54) pitching against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning in Game 1 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Orioles struck back in the bottom of the inning, as former Norfolk Tides star Ryan Mountcastle — one of 19 former Tides on the team’s playoff roster — doubled to left, driving in Anthony Santender.
The Rangers got an insurance run in the top of the sixth on Josh Jung’s homer over the centerfield fence.
Baltimore got a run back in the bottom of that inning also, as Santender homered over the right-centerfield fence to cut the Texas lead to 3-2.
The Orioles managed to get a runner on in the seventh, and had two on in the eighth before Santender hit into a double play and Mountcastle struck out to end the threat.
In the bottom of the ninth, Gunnar Henderson singled to right to start the inning, but was caught stealing. Aaron Hicks struck out, and then Adam Frazier grounded out to end the game.
Baltimore and Texas will face off in Game 2 of the American League Division Series at 8 p.m. Sunday.
