The Tampa Bay Rays (4-5) dropped their fourth straight game as they lost to the Orioles (4-3) 5-4 on Saturday night in eleven innings.
The Orioles scored two runs in fourth inning to set the pace early - first on a home run from Renato Nunez, then an RBI single from Rio Ruiz. When the Rays answered with a Mike Brosseau solo home run in the sixth to pull within 2-1, the Orioles responded in the home half of the sixth with two more runs to make it 4-1.
The Rays were able to rally, however, in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Jose Martinez got an RBI single and Brandon Lowe came through with an RBI forceout, Kevin Kiermaier singled in the game-tying run to make it 4-4. That would remain the score heading into extra innings.
In the tenth inning Ji-Man Choi started at second base but was doubled off trying to advance to third when Yoshi Tsutsugo flied out to left field as the first batter of the inning, erasing an opportunity for the Rays. Though Tampa Bay was able to get a couple of two-out base runners, they stranded them when Keirmaier struck out to end the top of the tenth. Baltimore also had their lead runner erased on the bases, when Hanser Alberto was thrown out at home in the tenth inning, and this game would head to the eleventh.
In the Rays half of the eleventh Kiermaier began as the lead runner - but was erased when Manuel Margot grounded into a hard double play on the right side of the infield. That would set up the Orioles in the bottom half of the frame - with Bryan Holaday starting at second base, he was promptly sacrificed to third on a bunt. After Chase Sisco struck out, Pat Valaika hit a bloop single to right that scored Holaday and gave the Orioles the series win.
Rays starter Tyler Glasnow went four and two-thirds innings allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out five and walking three. Oliver Drake (0-2, 2.08) took the loss out of the bullpen for Tampa Bay, while Travis Larkin (1-0, 3.18) was the winning pitcher for Baltimore.
The Rays now try to snap the losing streak and salvage the series against the Orioles on Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards. First pitch in the series finale between the Rays and Orioles is scheduled for 1:05 PM on Sunday afternoon - pregame coverage begins with Steve Carney and the Inside Pitch at 11:00 AM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.