Basallo’s 15th homer gives O’s win over Royals

Basallo came up big for the Orioles in the bottom of the eighth inning. Facing Matt Strahm in a left-on-left matchup and with a runner on first, Basallo got a piece of a high and inside slider from Strahm, lacing it down the right field line for a two-run homer to put the O’s up 5-3. It was the 15th homer of the season for Basallo, who has now homered three times in his last seven games. The 21-year-old lefty isn’t hitting for much of an average this month, slashing just .167/.259/.542 in July, but he’s making the most of the balls he puts in play.