BALTIMORE — Jesse Winker’s return to the Mets lasted all of three plate appearances before the arrival of another injury concern. The veteran DH departed Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Orioles in Game 1 of a doubleheader with back tightness and was scheduled for a return to New York for an MRI exam.

Gunnar Henderson's two-run, pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning interrupted a pitching duel and the Baltimore Orioles beat the New York Mets 3-1 on Thursday afternoon in the first game of a doubleheader.

The series is now tied at one game apiece following Baltimore’s late rally for a 3-1 win. Gunner Henderson came off the bench and stroked a two-run pinch hit home run in the bottom of the eighth to propel the O’s to the win. David Peterson (7IP, 1ER) and Charlie Morton (6IP, 1ER) engaged in a pitchers’ duel until Henderson’s heroics.

As the New York Mets start a three-game series tonight against the Baltimore Orioles, they will have their first-year starter, Clay Holmes, on the mound for them. After signing a three-year, $38 million deal with an opt-out after the 2026 season,