Currently boasting the second-best record in the MLB, the Baltimore Orioles sit at the top of AL East over the Tampa Bay Rays, who have been slumping as of late.
Prior to Thursday’s kickoff game for the series against the Rays, the Orioles were already ranked ahead of Tampa Bay, as this was the first time after the All-Star break since August 15, 2016.
Starting July off six and a half games back, Baltimore has the lead over the Rays, who are now two back, after winning Friday’s matchup (3-0) but losing on Saturday against the Orioles (6-5). This is an incredible turnaround for a team that is now only behind the Atlanta Braves from the NL East at 63-34.
“It’s just July, that’s kind of where I’m at right now,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “This team [the Rays] is so good and so hard to play, especially here. We’ve been on the other side of those types of games I can’t tell you how many times.”
Their win 4-3 against the Rays ended in the tenth inning on a sacrifice fly hit by Baltimore rookie outfielder Colton Cowser, who recapped the win Thursday night.
“I think tonight was a great team win,” Cowser said as he wrapped up his 11th major league game.
Center fielder Aaron Hicks started the tenth inning on second base as the automatic runner, advancing on second baseman and pinch hitter Adam Frazier‘s sacrifice bunt. On Cowser’s fly to left against Rays relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (1-4), Hicks was able to get home.
Hyde commented on his relief pitcher Felix Bautista (5-1) after the win, as he had a perfect ninth inning and stayed on for the following 10th inning for the Orioles.
“How about Felix Bautista?” Hyde said. “I’m so lucky to have him. The reason why he pitched the tenth is because he had such an efficient ninth. … He’s amazing.”
Rays first baseman Luke Raley was hit by a pitch from the Orioles pitcher, for Bautista to then strike out Rays left outfielder Randy Arozarena. Second baseman Brandon Lowe‘s ground ball for Tampa Bay resulted in a game-ending double play that led to the Baltimore win.
In the eighth inning, the game was tied 3-3, as Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias when made a diving stop on Rays designated hitter Harold Ramirez‘s grounder with two on and threw him out at first. Tampa Bay was trailing 3-1 before rallying back in the seventh inning, with Ray’s third baseman Taylor Walls singling and Christian Bethancourt, Tampa Bay’s catcher, following up by ending the Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Gibson‘s night with a bunt.
This then led to a two-run double from Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz on Orioles relief pitcher Yennier Cano. But Baltimore had a three-score flurry in the fourth inning, thanks to rookie third baseman Gunnar Henderson. Due to his foot speed paired with intelligent base running, Henderson got to third base after hitting a lead-off triple when Arozarena fielded the hit down the left-field line, resulting in a lobbed throw toward the infield after.
“It was tough to see,” Arozarena said through a translator. “I think it was more my fault throwing the ball really soft.”
Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow followed up with a pitch, as the Orioles catcher Adley Rutschmansingled and later scored on a sacrifice fly hit by Baltimore first baseman Ryan O’Hearn.
This then led to a charged error for Rays catcher Francisco Mejia after the ball got loose on a tag attempt for Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander, which ultimately resulted in Baltimore’s lead 3-1 after Hick’s single.
The Rays had scoring opportunities, as they had at least one runner in position to score for each inning for the first five, but only scored one thanks to Mejia’s second-inning RBI single. Unfortunately for Meija, on Friday it was announced he will likely be out for 3-6 weeks with the left MCL sprain that sent him to the injured list.
“Ugly, yeah,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said of the inning. Tampa Bay previously was on a five-game losing streak before winning on Saturday, on par with the Pittsburgh Pirates in losing record going 4-14 in July.
Following Thursday night’s win and their Friday/Saturday matchups in the rearview for the Orioles, Baltimore ended up winning the series 3-1 over Tampa Bay. Their most recent win over the Rays on Sunday (5-3) further showcases their case as the top team in the American League at 61 wins and 38 losses.
Both teams from the AL East will be looking to contend in the playoffs by the time early October rolls around. There are still two months of the regular season left, so the division leader is not set yet.
