Monday night’s 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays was the direct result of the Baltimore Orioles scoring four runs in the fifth inning.
Ryan McKenna (1 for 3, 1 run scored) singled to lead off the fifth. Jonathan Arauz (1 for 4) struck out before Cedric Mullins (1 for 3, 1 run scored, 1 BB) singled and Adley Rutschman (0 for 2, 1 run scored, 1 HBP) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A Ryan Mountcastle (1 for 4, 1 run scored, 2 RBI) two RBI single, an Anthony Santander (1 for 4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI) fielder’s choice and an Austin Hays (1 for 2, 1 RBI, 1 BB) sacrifice fly plated the runs the Orioles would need to win the game.
Rutschman’s hit by pitch was not the only indignity he faced in the game. With the bases loaded in the second inning, Tampa Bay’s Brett Phillips hit into a force play at home. Luke Raley clipped Rutschman’s legs with his slide into home, knocking the Orioles rising star to the ground. The fans took umbrage to the play but all sides involved agreed it was a clean baseball play. Raley may now be public enemy number 1 in Baltimore, however; he was booed by the fans in each of his subsequent at-bats.
Andrew Voth started and gave the Orioles 3.0 innings of 4 hit baseball. He walked 3 and struck out 2; his only blemish was the third inning homerun hit by Tampa Bay’s Brandon Lowe.
The pitcher of record was Nick Vespi (3-0). Vespi, who was just recalled from Norfolk, struck out four while giving up 1 hit over 1.2 innings.
2022 Record: 48-48
Next Game: 7/26 vs. Tampa Bay @ 7:05 pm
