By Rays’ Nine-Game Winning Streak Ends as Late Rally Falls Short Against Orioles
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays finally ran out of late-inning magic Friday night.
After returning home from a perfect 9-0 road trip, the Rays saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end with a 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field.
The Rays made things interesting with a three-run rally in the ninth inning, but the comeback ended with the tying run stranded at second base.
The loss dropped the Rays to 74-47, but Tampa Bay remains firmly in control of the American League East with a 6½-game lead over the New York Yankees.
Orioles Break Through Against Rays Bullpen
With Tampa Bay employing a bullpen game, Steven Matz opened, and the Rays’ pitching staff managed to keep Baltimore under control through the first six innings.
The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the second when Christian Encarnacion-Strand drove home Tyler O’Neill with a sacrifice fly.
The Rays immediately responded when Richie Palacios doubled home a run in the bottom of the inning.
Baltimore went back in front in the third on Colton Cowser’s 10th home run of the season, but once again the Rays answered.
Junior Caminero reached second following an unusual ABS challenge sequence and scored when Victor Mesa Jr. lined an RBI single into center, tying the game at 2-2.
The game stayed tied until the seventh, when the Orioles finally got to Tampa Bay’s bullpen.
Gunnar Henderson singled, and Encarnacion-Strand doubled against Garrett Cleavinger.
After an intentional walk loaded the bases, manager Kevin Cash turned to Kevin Kelly.
Baltimore countered with pinch-hitter Dylan Beavers, who lined a two-run single into right field to give the Orioles a 4-2 advantage.
Cleavinger was charged with both runs and took the loss, falling to 4-4 on the season.
Gunnar Henderson Delivers the Big Blow
Baltimore added what turned out to be two crucial insurance runs in the eighth.
Henderson capped off a great night by launching a two-run homer off Chris Roycroft, extending the Orioles’ lead to 6-2.
Henderson finished 4-for-4 with a double, home run, two runs scored and two RBIs. His homer was his 20th of the season.
Those insurance runs proved especially important once the Rays made their move in the ninth.
Rays Nearly Pull Off Another Comeback
A four-run deficit hasn’t felt insurmountable for this Rays team lately, and Friday night was no exception.
Tampa Bay put together one final charge against the Baltimore bullpen. Jonathan Aranda delivered a two-run single, and Caminero brought home another run on a fielder’s choice, suddenly cutting Baltimore’s lead to 6-5.
The Rays eventually put the potential tying run at second base, but Cam Sanders came out of the Baltimore bullpen and retired Ryan Vilade on a fly ball to end the game. Sanders earned his second save.
Palacios was one of Tampa Bay’s offensive bright spots, finishing 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored.
It wasn’t enough to extend the streak, but the ninth inning was another example of why Tampa Bay has been so difficult to put away.
Rays manager Kevin Cash focused afterward on the comeback attempt and Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt’s ability to keep Tampa Bay from doing more damage earlier in the game. MLB’s postgame interview noted Cash discussing both the late rally and Bassitt’s outing.
The Winning Streak Ends, But Rays Remain in Control.
For Tampa Bay, Friday’s loss shouldn’t overshadow what the Rays have accomplished over the past several weeks. They are 18-5 over their last 23 games and still own one of baseball’s best records at 74-47.
More importantly, the Yankees also lost Friday, meaning Tampa Bay’s lead in the AL East remains 6½ games.
The Rays now have an opportunity to make Friday’s loss nothing more than a speed bump.
The Rays will send Ian Seymour (9-3, 4.08 ERA) to the mound Saturday as the Rays try to even the four-game series. Baltimore is scheduled to counter with right-hander Kyle Bradish (7-11, 3.69 ERA).
SEO Title: Tampa Bay Rays’ Nine-Game Winning Streak Ends in 6-5 Loss to Orioles
Meta Description: The Tampa Bay Rays rallied for three runs in the ninth but fell 6-5 to the Baltimore Orioles, ending their nine-game winning streak while maintaining a 6½-game AL East lead.
