Photo Craig Landefeld

In what could be called the same old song and dance, the Baltimore Orioles lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Opening Day in Tropicana Field. The loss continued a theme from the 2021 season when the Rays went 18-8 in games against the Birds.

The O’s loaded the bases in the first inning but could not cash it in. The Rays however scored a run on a sacrifice fly when they loaded the bases in the third inning. A Francisco Mejia sacrifice fly scored Wander Franco with what proved to be the winning run in the eighth.

Anthony Santander went 1 for 3, homering in the sixth inning, with 1 run scored, 1 RBI and a walk.

Cedric Mullins went 1 for 4 and was hit by a pitch.

Trey Mancini went 1 for 4 with a double and Ramon Urias did the same.

John Means started and allowed 1 run on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out over 4.0 innings.

Reliever Dillon Tate (1.0 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 K) was the pitcher of record.

Record: 0-1

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