Orioles Explode for Seven-Run Sixth, Crush Rays 10-2 to Move Into Wild Card Spot

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 10-2, Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, using a massive seven-run sixth inning to turn a competitive divisional matchup into a rout.

Baltimore has now taken the first three games of the four-game series against the American League East-leading Rays and improved to 61-63. More importantly, after the rest of Sunday’s results fell Baltimore’s way, the Orioles moved into sole possession of the third and final American League Wild Card position, one-half game ahead of the Texas Rangers.

What appeared to be another tight game suddenly became one of Baltimore’s biggest offensive innings of the season.

Rogers keeps Orioles within striking distance

Trevor Rogers gave the Orioles exactly the type of start they needed.

Rogers worked six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts. The left-hander improved to 8-8 and bounced back emphatically at the same ballpark where Tampa Bay had tagged him during a 16-6 Orioles loss on May 18.

Tampa Bay threatened immediately when Yandy Díaz and Ryan Vilade collected first-inning hits, but Rogers escaped without allowing a run.

The Rays eventually broke through in the fourth.

Vilade got a 95 mph four-seam fastball from Rogers and launched it 441 feet for his 10th home run of the season, giving Tampa Bay a 1-0 advantage. Vilade finished 3-for-4 with a home run and double and was one of the few Rays hitters who consistently solved Rogers.

Baltimore’s offense did not stay quiet for long.

Replay review helps spark Baltimore’s comeback

The Orioles finally broke through against Tampa Bay starter Freddy Peralta during the fifth inning.

Leody Taveras and Coby Mayo drew walks before Yohel Pozo appeared to hit into an inning-ending double play. Baltimore challenged the play at second base, however, and replay showed Taveras had gotten back safely.

The overturned call gave the Orioles another opportunity.

They took full advantage.

Jackson Holliday greeted Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger with a game-tying RBI single. Pete Alonso immediately followed by driving a two-run double down the left-field line, scoring Mayo and Holliday and putting Baltimore ahead 3-1.

It was only the beginning.

Seven runs with two outs

Baltimore completely dismantled Tampa Bay’s bullpen in the sixth.

The Orioles recorded two quick outs and had nobody on base. Then eight consecutive Baltimore hitters reached safely.

Taveras began the rally before Colton Cowser delivered one of the game’s biggest swings. Cowser crushed a two-run home run off left-hander Steven Matz for his 11th homer of the season, extending Baltimore’s advantage to 5-1.

The Orioles kept coming.

Holliday ripped a two-run double, pushing the score to 7-1. Tampa Bay challenged the play at home, but Pozo’s run stood.

Baltimore eventually loaded the bases for Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who had actually made the first out of the inning.

Encarnacion-Strand made his second plate appearance count.

He cleared the bases with a three-run double, suddenly making it 10-1.

Baltimore sent enough hitters to the plate that Encarnacion-Strand went from making the inning’s first out to delivering the blow that essentially ended the game.

The Orioles saw 59 pitches during the sixth inning, their most in a single frame since seeing 69 pitches during a nine-run inning on Sept. 8, 2021, according to MLB.

Holliday leads balanced Orioles attack

Holliday had one of Baltimore’s strongest offensive performances of the afternoon.

The second baseman went 2-for-4 with a double, walk and three RBIs. Cowser collected two hits, including his two-run homer, while Encarnacion-Strand drove in three.

Alonso continued making an impact following his trade to Baltimore. He doubled home two runs, walked twice and was hit by a pitch.

Cowser, Holliday and Encarnacion-Strand combined to drive home all seven runs during Baltimore’s decisive sixth inning.

Peralta took the loss for Tampa Bay, falling to 5-10. He allowed only one hit but walked three and was charged with two runs in 4 2/3 innings. Two of those walks ultimately scored during Baltimore’s fifth-inning rally.

Orioles bullpen shuts the door

Tampa Bay scored its second and final run in the bottom of the sixth when former Oriole Jorge Mateo singled home Vilade.

That was all the Rays would get.

Alex Hoppe, Grant Wolfram and Albert Suárez each worked a scoreless inning to finish the game. Baltimore’s bullpen surrendered nothing over the final three frames after Rogers completed six.

The Rays finished with nine hits, but they struggled to turn their baserunners into runs.

Orioles suddenly control a Wild Card spot

This series has dramatically changed Baltimore’s postseason outlook.

The Orioles entered Tampa Bay trying simply to stay within reach of an American League Wild Card position. Three consecutive victories over the team with the American League’s best record have instead pushed Baltimore directly into the playoff picture.

Baltimore is now 61-63 and holds the final AL Wild Card position by half a game over Texas. The Orioles are also one game ahead of Toronto and Detroit in the Wild Card standings.

The turnaround is particularly impressive considering the opponent.

Tampa Bay entered the series leading the AL East and had won nine consecutive games before Baltimore’s three-game run. The Orioles have now won six consecutive games against Tampa Bay overall.

Baltimore won the first game of the series 6-5 Friday, survived a 4-3 extra-inning battle Saturday and then completely overwhelmed the Rays Sunday.

Different games. Same result.

MSB Take

The Orioles have somehow played themselves back into meaningful August baseball.

A team that has spent much of the year trying to recover from its disastrous stretches now controls its own Wild Card position with 38 games remaining.

Sunday’s victory might have been the most convincing of the three in Tampa Bay.

Rogers gave Baltimore six strong innings. The bullpen handled the rest. Holliday produced three RBIs. Cowser supplied power. Alonso delivered another big hit, and Encarnacion-Strand put the game away.

Most importantly, Baltimore did it against a Rays club that has spent the season establishing itself as one of baseball’s best teams.

There is still plenty wrong with a 61-63 record, and Baltimore’s remaining schedule will not make this easy. But none of that changes what the standings say Monday morning.

If the postseason started today, the Baltimore Orioles would be in it.

That seemed almost impossible not long ago.

Now the Orioles have a chance to leave Tampa Bay with a four-game sweep.

What’s Next

Baltimore and Tampa Bay conclude the four-game series Monday night at Tropicana Field.

Right-hander Brandon Young (9-3, 3.33 ERA) is scheduled to start for Baltimore. Tampa Bay is expected to activate left-hander Shane McClanahan (9-6, 3.09 ERA) from the injured list for the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET.

A win would give Baltimore a four-game sweep of the AL East leaders and extend an already remarkable six-game winning streak against Tampa Bay.