What was almost a thrilling comeback ended with the Rays falling just short in the bottom of the ninth and dropping their first game since August 2nd. However, if there was a game this series where the O’s had an advantage, it was this one, with the Rays utilizing a bullpen day. The pitching staff kept this one close and it was tied going into the top of the seventh, but the O’s were able to break through late and build a large enough lead to hold off the Rays’ late efforts.
Former starter Steven Matz got the open and tossed a scoreless first before giving way to Jesse Sholtens. In his return to the Rays active roster, Sholtens allowed two runs over three innings of work. He walked and struck out a pair while allowing four hits.
The O’s struck first in the top of the second as a lead off walk to Tyler O’Neill eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Encarnacion-Strand. The Rays quickly answered in the bottom half of the inning when Richie Palacios doubled home Liam Hicks to tie the game at 1-1.
The tie wouldn’t hold as Colten Cowser quickly answered with a solo shot to lead off the top of the third. However, the Rays had another answer. This time, Victor Mesa Jr. singled home Junior Caminero to tie the game again.
That 2-2 score would hold until the seventh when Garrett Cleavinger entered. Cleavinger again struggled to retire the side and again gave way Kevin Kelly after loading the bases. He surrendered a leadoff double to Henderson, then a single to Encarnacion-Strand. After a fielder’s choice, Jeremiah Jackson worked a 3-1 count and Cash had seen enough. Jackson was intentionally walked and Kelly entered. With the bases loaded and one out, Kelly surrendered a two-run single to Dylan Beavers which gave the O’s a 4-2 lead. The inning would eventually end, but the damage was done.
Trailing, Cash turned to Roycroft in the eighth and he also allowed two runs to score. This time, Henderson left the yard, crushing a two-run homer to right-center and giving the O’s a 6-2 lead.
The Rays went quietly in the bottom of the eighth and Roycroft rebounded with a scoreless ninth, setting the table for a dramatic bottom half.
Down by four facing Yennier Cano with Palacios and Walls set to start the inning, I was looking forward to Saturday’s matchup. I should have known better with this group. Palacios singled. Then, Walls followed with a single of his own. Cano was able to punch out Yandy, but then Arranda singled, scoring both Palacios and Walls who had advanced on a wild pitch. The score was 6-4 and Caminero was lurking on deck behind Chandler Simpson. Cano walked Simpson and the table was set for the Caminero to send the Trop into a frenzy. With runners on second and third, Caminero got beat on an inside pitch and grounded to third. Mateo, the pinch runner, scored and made it a one-run game, but Simpson had to stay at second.
With Vilade coming up, O’s manager Albernaz had seen enough and went to Cam Sanders to get the final out. He did just that, getting Vilade to fly out on the first pitch. The game was over and the Rays fell just short by a final score of 6-5.
The Rays will look to rebound on Saturday afternoon with Ian Seymour taking the mound opposite Kyle Bradish. On the bright side, both the Red Sox and Yankees lost, so the Rays did not cede any ground in the standings and still hold a seven-game advantage in the loss column over the Yankees.