Sunday afternoon started beautifully for the Tampa Bay Rays. Kevin Kiermaier homered on the very 1st pitch of the game to put the Rays on top before things could really even get going, but Baltimore came right back. They put up 4 in the bottom half of the 1st to take the lead. Tampa Bay answered when Jesus Sucre homered to tie it up. J.J. Hardy’s homer in the 4th was the blow that Rays couldn’t come back from. Baltimore would add 3 more runs over the 2nd half of the game to earn the 9-4 victory.
Kiermaier’s homer was just what the doctor ordered for the Rays and Chris Archer to get off to a good start. This time that doctor’s prescription wasn’t the answer. Adam Jone’s 2-run double had Baltimore in front just 4 batters in. The Orioles added 2 more runs in the 1st, but the Rays wouldn’t leave their starter hanging. They came back with 3 runs in the top of the 2nd to tie the game right back up. Archer settled down and had quiet innings in the 2nd and 3rd, but couldn’t get through the 4th.
J.J. Hardy homered in what could be his final game in Baltimore as an Oriole to give the O’s the lead for good. Archer would leave after allowing those 6 runs in 3-plus innings. After Hardy took his curtain call it was smooth sailing for Baltimore. The bats added 3 more runs in the ensuing innings to really put the game out of reach and the bullpen did their job and the 9-4 victory was never in doubt.
The Rays will head to New York City Tuesday to battle the Yankees. Blake Snell is scheduled to take the hill for Tampa Bay. The starter for New York is still to be announced. 1st pitch in the Bronx is scheduled for 7:05. Steve Carney gets things going with the Inside Pitch right at 6 on WDAE.