The Baltimore Orioles started a pivotal four game series with the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday with a 4-3 win in 10 innings. With seven games remaining against the Rays in the 2023 season, the Orioles have to walk the walk.
Kyle Gibson laid the groundwork Thursday with a quality start, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits while issuing 2 walks and striking out 8 over 6.0 innings. He threw a wild pitch and hit a batter as well and left the game with 2 runners on in the 7th inning. Yennier Cano (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) entered the game and allowed those two runners to score before being bailed out by Bryan Baker (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K).
RAMÓN. URÍAS. pic.twitter.com/DUxgJ5P1P0
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 21, 2023
A two inning outing by Felix Bautista (5-1) ended in a win for the reliever when he induced the Rays into a game-ending double play (challenged by Tampa Bay but was upheld). The “Mountain” struck out 3 and hit a batter over those 2.0 IP.
“Enjoy the view from the top at the Trop!!” pic.twitter.com/ISO3C8EOtX
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) July 21, 2023
Bautista’s win was made possible by Colton Cowser‘s (1 for 3, 1 RBI) sacrifice fly that allowed Aaron Hicks (1 for 4, 1 R) to score. Hicks started the tenth as the ghost runner and was moved to third by an Adam Frazier (0 for 0) pinch-hit sacrifice bunt.
The Orioles scored three runs in the fourth inning and the catalyst was a Gunnar Henderson (1 for 4, 1 R) lead-off triple. The inning was capped off by a Hicks single that allowed Anthony Santander (1 for 4, 1 R) to score when Rays catcher Francisco Mejia dropped the ball on the tag at the plate.
We love a good rally. pic.twitter.com/cCqn8N5diC
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 20, 2023
The kid is special. pic.twitter.com/7wL1qQGzce
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 21, 2023
Adley Rutschman went 1 for 4 with a run scored and 1 RBI.
Ryan O’Hearn went 1 for 3 with 1 RBI.
2023 Record: 59-37
Next Game: Fri. 7/21 @ 6:40 pm vs. Rays in Tampa Bay