The Baltimore Orioles ambushed the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, scoring six runs in two innings before the Rays had their first hit (fourth inning). The Orioles ultimately won the game by a score of 8-6. The way the game started gave no indication that Orioles fans would have to hold their collective breath later in the contest.
Gunnar Henderson (1 for 5, 1 2B, 1 R) opened the game with a lead-off double and then scored on an Anthony Santander (2 for 5, 1 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI) single. Austin Hays (3 for 4, 2 2B, 2 R) singled to set the table for Aaron Hicks (2 for 4, 1 HR, 1 R, 4 RBI); Hicks hit a three run homerun down the right field line.
Into the Hicks of it pic.twitter.com/Ow0JkXSU7U
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 20, 2023
Santander hit a two run homerun in the second inning and Ryan O’Hearn (1 for 4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI) hit a solo homerun in the fifth to put the O’s up 7-0. A Hays double and a Hicks single to start the eighth resulted in what would be an insurance run.
Would you like a Tater with that? pic.twitter.com/N9m60wCpCu
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 20, 2023
O’Me, O’My, O’Hearn! pic.twitter.com/bHQQS3bqAu
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 21, 2023
Kyle Bradish (3-3) made a decent start, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits with two walks and 8 strikeouts. The bullpen, however, was taken advantage of by the Rays in the sixth. Bryan Baker allowed 3 runs on 2 hits with a walk and a strikeout in one third of the inning and Mike Baumann allowed 1 run on 1 hit with a walk in one third of the inning.
Danny Coulombe (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) recorded the final out of the sixth and along with Yennier Cano (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) and Felix Bautista (1.1 IP, 2 K) restored order to the game. Bautista earned his 20th save for Bradish, the winning pitcher.
2023 Record: 45-27
Next Game: Wed. 6/21 @ 12:10 pm vs. Rays in Tampa