Former Red Sox Slugger Snaps Record-Setting Opening Day Streak originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
An ex-Boston Red Sox outfielder couldn’t extend history for an American League East rival.
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Tyler O’Neill went 1-for-2 with a walk for the Baltimore Orioles in Thursday’s 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. While it was a productive day for the 30-year-old, he typically starts the season with more gusto.
O’Neill had hit a home run on six straight Opening Days before losing his record-setting streak. Per MLB.com’s Jake Rill, O’Neill didn’t mind missing out on more history in a victory.
“It was a good win, man,” O’Neill said. “Fans were bringing it. A lot of energy out there. Opening Day at Camden is so special. Just want to come out and put on a good performance, and the team did a really good job.”
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Starting on Opening Day wasn’t a given for O’Neill. First-year manager Craig Albernaz played the right-hander in right field over the left-handed Dylan Beavers against Twins ace Joe Ryan.
O’Neill may have to earn a regular role after a rocky first year in Baltimore. He hit .199/.292/.392 in 54 games during a season that included three trips to the injured list for three separate ailments.
The Orioles gave O’Neill a three-year, $49.5 million contract after a standout 2024 campaign in Boston. O’Neill crushed 31 home runs in just 473 plate appearances a year after notching just nine long balls for the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Baltimore acquired Taylor Ward to play left field, and Colton Cowser will look to rebound from a sophomore slump in center. Top prospect Samuel Basallo will likely spend most days at the designated hitter, so O’Neill must fend off Beavers to avoid the short end of a platoon.
He didn’t deliver an Opening Day home run for the first time since 2018, but reaching base twice is nevertheless a promising sign for O’Neill.
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