Orioles offense surges late, avoids sweep with 9-6 victory Recap: 7/3/19
The Orioles looked to avoid a three game sweep tonight, and thanks to a good start by John Means and a six run ninth inning, the Birds leave Tampa with a win.
All-Star John Means got the start tonight and didn’t miss a beat. Means tossed seven innings, allowing three runs, two of which were earned, off six hits with five strikeouts.
The Rays took a 1-0 lead in the third, off a fielders choice that scored one run.
In the fourth inning, Rio Ruiz would take the lead following a three run bomb which out the Orioles up 3-1. This was Ruiz’s fifth homer on the season.
John Means would give one run back in the fourth, when he allowed a solo home run. This cut the Orioles lead to 3-2.
Now in the sixth, the Rays would tie the game at 3-3 after a RBI single.
In the top of the ninth, the Orioles would have some fun. Six runs were scored in the inning to give the Orioles a 9-3 lead. Pedro Severino knocked in a run and that was followed by a RBI triple by Jonathan Villar, his second. Trey Mancini then knocked in a run on a fielders choice. Now with two men on, Renato Nunez smashed his nineteenth home run of the year, a three run shot that turned out to be very important.
The Rays battled back in the bottom of the ninth. Richard Bleier would give up three runs to make the game 9-6.
Richard Bleier was relieved by Shawn Armstrong with two on and the tying run at the plate and two outs. Armstrong recorded the huge strikeout to end the game, sealing the Birds 9-6 victory.
Our MSB Oriole player of the game is Renato Nunez, who hit the ninth inning three run homer which turned out to be the difference maker. Nunez also scored a run.
Shawn Armstrong records the save (2).
The Orioles travel north to face the Toronto Blue Jays for a three game set, starting Friday at 7:07 pm ET.
