Gunnar Henderson achieves rare Orioles home run feat in loss to Cardinals

While things didn't overall go very well for the Orioles in the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, things are going splendidly to open the season, with the team sitting at 29-16 through the first 45 games. The starting pitching is enjoying great success, the bullpen is performing well, and the offense is loaded top to bottom with talent.

Despite a 6-3 opening game loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, this wouldn't have even been a game if not for the heroics of Gunnar Henderson. That's something that's been said a lot already this season, but I don't know if it's being said enough. Gunnar Henderson is playing at MVP caliber levels right now, flexing his dominance both at the plate and in the field.

He showed off in both aspects on Monday, making a great play in the hole at shortstop to take away a hit from Masyn Winn in the fifth inning, then blasting a towering three-run home run to center field in the sixth, making it a 5-3 game at the time.

What's most important about this home run is that Henderson kept his long ball streak going. This homer extended his home run streak to four games. According to Steve Melewski of MASN, the last Oriole to do that was DJ Stewart in the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season. It was also Henderson's first home run of the season that wasn't a solo or two-run shot.

The home run for Henderson marked his 16th of the season, breaking a tie with Kyle Tucker for the league lead. What's even more remarkable is that Henderson is doing this out of the leadoff spot in the Orioles lineup, frequently starting off games with home runs to the Camden Yards crowd.

Gunnar Henderson extends home run streak and stays hot at the top of the Orioles lineup

Having yet to miss a game for the Orioles this season, Henderson has taken his great start in April and kept it going in May. He holds a .271/.351/.610 slash line, with four doubles and four triples to go with 34 RBI, 18 walks and, yes, 16 bombs. His incredible defensive plays have also entrenched him as the everyday shortstop for the long haul, necessitating a future position change for Jackson Holliday.

Obviously it's not just Henderson mashing for the Orioles. Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser are emerging as key contributors in the Orioles lineup, while Adley Rutschman has also been on a tear at the plate as of late. Henderson's two-way dominance cannot be overlooked, as he's continuing to be every bit of the difference maker he was projected to be at the major league level.