Today in Sarasota the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 12-8. Sadly, only 7,524 fans saw it happen; there was neither radio nor television access to the game via MLBTV.com.
The game was a case of strike early and strike fast as the Orioles scored eight runs in the first two innings. Scheduled starter Taj Bradley was a late scratch due to “pectoral tightness” and the Birds took full advantage of Tampa’s replacement starter Erasmo Ramirez. A five-run first inning was highlighted by a Ryan Mountcastle (1 for 4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI) RBI double and a Jordan Westburg (2 for 3, 2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI) three-run homerun.
An Adley Rutschman (3 for 4, 1 R, 2 RBI) single knocked in the first run of the second inning while Mountcastle grounded into a force out, allowing a run to score and Austin Hays (0 for 3, 1 RBI) hit a sac fly to plate the third run of the inning.
Starter and winning pitcher Tyler Wells (2-0) made those eight runs hold up, allowing 1 run on 2 hits (HR) while walking 1 and striking out 1.
Ramon Urias (1 for 3, HR, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) homered to start a fifth inning three-run rally. Jorge Mateo (1 for 3, 1 R, 1 RBI) and Rutschman each added a run via RBI singles during the rally.
A Daniel Johnson (1 for 1, HR, 1 R, 1 RBI) seventh inning homerun capped off the Baltimore scoring.
Gunnar Henderson went 2 for 4 with a double and 2 runs scored, Ryan O’Hearn went 2 for 3 with a walk and Colton Cowser went 2 for 3 with a run scored.
Five relievers followed Wells with Jacob Webb (1.0 IP, 2 R, 3 H, HR), Bryan Baker (1.0 IP, 1 UER, 1 H, 1 K) and Morgan McSweeney (1.0 IP, 4 R, 4 H, HR, 1 BB, 2 K), all giving up runs to the Rays.