The Baltimore Orioles (40-22) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (31-32) 6-3 on Friday night in the series opener at Tropicana Field. The loss snapped the Rays winning streak at three games.
The Orioles struck first, getting two runs in the second inning which included a solo home run from Anthony Santander. The Rays rallied to tie the game thanks to a solo homer from Jose Siri in the second and a sacrifice fly from Amed Rosario in the third to even the game 2-2.
Ryan Mountcastle hit a two-run homer in the fifth to give the Os the lead back 4-2. Taylor Walls drove in a run in the sixth to pull Tampa Bay within 4-3, but that would be as close as the Rays got. Jordan Westburg hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to make it a 6-3 game, which would prove to be the final score.
Aaron Civale (2-5, 5.51) allowed four earned runs on seven hits in five innings in which he struck out eight and walked one. Cole Irvin (6-2, 2.87) was the winning pitcher for the Orioles, allowing three runs - two of them earned - on eight hits while striking out six and walking none in five and two-third innings of work.
The Rays look to bounce back in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon. Taj Bradley (1-3, 5.81) is scheduled to start for the Rays a week after being shelled by the Orioles - Kyle Bradish (1-0, 3.18) is expected to start for the Orioles. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM - Chris Adams-Wall begins pregame coverage at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES