Baltimore Orioles' Anthony Santander Hits 40th Home Run in 12-3 Loss to Boston

Santander's Historic Season Comes to an End

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander's remarkable 2022 season came to a disappointing end on Wednesday night as the Orioles fell 12-3 to the Boston Red Sox. Despite the loss, Santander made history by hitting his 40th home run of the season, becoming just the third player in Orioles history to reach the 40-homer mark.

Santander's home run came in the fourth inning off Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta. It was a solo shot that cut Boston's lead to 3-2 at the time. The home run was Santander's 20th at home this season, tying him with Boog Powell for the most home runs hit at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in a single season.

Santander's 40 home runs are the most by an Oriole since Chris Davis hit 53 in 2013. He is also just the third player in Orioles history to hit 40 home runs in a season, joining Davis and Jim Gentile.

Orioles' Season Ends in Disappointment

The Orioles' loss to the Red Sox eliminated them from playoff contention, ending their season with a disappointing 83-79 record. The Orioles had been in contention for a wild-card spot for much of the season, but they ultimately fell short.

Despite the disappointing ending, the Orioles showed signs of progress in 2022. They won 11 more games than they did in 2021, and they had a number of young players who emerged as key contributors.

Santander was one of the biggest bright spots for the Orioles in 2022. He finished the season with a .280 batting average, 40 home runs, and 106 RBIs. He was also a Gold Glove finalist in right field.

What's Next for the Orioles?

The Orioles will now turn their attention to the offseason, where they will look to build on their progress from 2022. They have a number of young players who are still developing, and they will need to add some veteran talent in order to compete for a playoff spot in 2023.

One of the Orioles' biggest priorities this offseason will be to find a new manager. Brandon Hyde was fired after the season, and the Orioles are now searching for his replacement.

The Orioles also have a number of free agents to deal with this offseason, including Trey Mancini, Jorge López, and Rougned Odor. It will be interesting to see how the Orioles approach these free agents, and whether they are willing to spend money to improve their team.

The Orioles have a lot of work to do this offseason, but they also have a lot of potential. If they can make the right moves, they could be a contender in the AL East in 2023.