baltimore orioles Have won 11 of their last 14 games to move to the top of the American League East
orioles They will aim to create some breathing space when they play the final of the four-match series against tampa bay rays in St. Petersburg, Florida
Baltimore came back from a 3–0 blowout on Friday to record its second series win, 6–5, after blowing a 5–0 lead on Saturday. victory gave orioles One game lead in division on reeling rayswho have lost 13 out of 17 games in July
on July 1st rays were up 6 1/2 games orioles and first place in the AL East
But on Saturday, James McCann joined Jorge Mateo on two-run doubles, and Austin Hays added an RBI double in a five-run fourth inning. Tampa Bay scored two runs in the sixth inning, one in the seventh, and two more in the eighth.
McCann told MASN, “It’s playoff-atmosphere baseball. There’s no free at-bats, no free innings.” “You have to work for everything you get.”
When McCann was asked if Baltimore could win the World Series this season, he said, McCann has high hopes.
McCann said, “I think this team has everything it needs.” “It’s a great mix of young players with a lot of energy and experienced players who’ve been in that position before. It’s a team that doesn’t give up, guys that go about their jobs professionally. Whenever you put all that together, you’re going to have a lot of success on the field, and that’s what we’re seeing now.”
Although not happy with the final result of Saturday, rays Manager Kevin Cash admitted he has been encouraged by the quality of his team’s batsmen over the past few days
“Maybe a little,” said Cash. “I didn’t think it was going to be an overnight flip-a-switch type deal, so we’ve got to see some progress – but I think it’s fair that we have a better batting line-up.”
In Sunday’s series finale, Baltimore will face Tyler Wells (7-5, 3.54 ERA) and Tampa Bay rookie Taj Bradley (5-6, 5.29) in a battle of right-handers.
The 28-year-old Wells will look to atone for a disappointing performance last Tuesday, when he allowed five runs on six hits in a season-low two innings of a 10-3 loss by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wells has surrendered 22 homers in 19 games this season (18 starts), including a three-run blast by the Dodgers’ Jason Hayward.
According to The Baltimore Sun, Wells said, “Once those home runs start turning into two-, three-run homers, that’s when it becomes a problem.” “I’m definitely taking it personally.”
Wells went 0–3 in nine career appearances (five starts) against Tampa Bay after allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits in five innings of a 7–2 blowout on June 21 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Bradley, 22, last tasted victory on June 21 after allowing one run on three hits and striking out eight in a 7-2 victory over Baltimore.
He has gone 0-3 in his last four starts despite striking out nine in a 5-3 blowout at the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, allowing just two runs on five hits.
–Field Level Media