The Baltimore Orioles took an early lead on Saturday, scoring five runs in the fourth inning, and in doing so chased Tampa Bay ace Shane McClanahan from the game. The Rays stung the Birds by scoring five runs of their own over a three inning span (6th – 8th) before losing to the Orioles by a score of 6-5.

Ryan Mountcastle (1 for 4, 1 R) started the fourth inning base-running parade with a one out single. Aaron Hicks (0 for 3) struck out before five Orioles players reached base and five runs crossed the plate. Three consecutive RBI-doubles by James McCann (1 for 3, 1 R, 2 RBI), Jorge Mateo (1 for 3, 1 R, 2 RBI) and Austin Hays (1 for 5, 1 RBI) did all the damage.

Grayson Rodriguez (5.2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K) deserved better for his solid outing but Danny Coulombe (0.2 IP, 1 R, 2 H) allowed an inherited runner to score and for the second day in a row, Shintaro Fujinami (0.2 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 1 K, 1 WP) allowed the Rays to score.

Ryan O’Hearn (1 for 1, 1 RBI) hit a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning that scored pinch-hitter Adam Frazier (1 for 1, 1 R), who had been moved into scoring position on an unusual sacrifice bunt by McCann, for what proved to be the winning run.

Cionel Perez (3-1) was credited with the win for closing out the eighth inning (0.1 IP, 1 K) and Felix Bautista (1.0 IP, 2 K) recorded his 27th save.

Gunnar Henderson (1 for 4, 1 R) made a spectacular catch in the fifth inning that resulted in an inning-ending double play.

BOX SCORE

2023 Record: 60-38

Next Game: Sun. 7/23 @ 1:40 pm vs. Rays in Tampa Bay

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