O’Neill extends Opening Day home run record
TORONTO — Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run home run off the Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Berrios in the third inning of Thursday’s game, extending his major league record by homering for a sixth straight Opening Day.
Playing a season-opening game in his home country of Canada for the first time, O’Neill connected on a two-out, 2-1 sinker, driving in Colton Cowser and Adley Rutschman and putting Baltimore up 4-0.
O’Neill’s Opening Day home run streak began with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020 and continued for four seasons, matching a mark held by Todd Hundley (1994-97), Gary Carter (1977-80) and Yogi Berra (1955-58).
O’Neill took sole possession of the mark when he connected in his lone Opening Day with the Boston Red Sox in 2024.
On Thursday, O’Neill went 3-for-3, walked twice and scored three times in the Orioles’ 12-2 victory. The Orioles hit a franchise record six Opening Day home runs in the rout.
O’Neill arrived at the stadium carrying two boxes of donuts from the Canadian chain Tim Hortons to share with his Baltimore teammates. He did the same thing when visiting Toronto with the Red Sox last season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
