Monday, 4 a.m.
There was a problem with the Tampa Bay Rays’ attempt to go for a series sweep on Sunday afternoon.
They just couldn’t keep the ball on the right side of the fence.
The Baltimore Orioles hit three home runs and went on to capture a 5-3 win over the Rays.It was a familiar disappointment for the Rays, who are 27th in the majors in homers allowed.
Starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot struggled early in innings. In the first inning, he gave up a home run to Jackson Holliday on the second pitch of the game. In the third inning, he gave up another one to Alex Jackson on the sixth pitch of the inning. In the sixth, he gave up a home run to Ryan O’Hearn on the sixth pitch of the inning.
The O’s also scored two runs on a double by Gunnar Henderson.
The Rays tried to come back for the second straight night but fell short. In the third, Junior Caminero singled in Yandy Diaz. Danny Jansen homered in the fourth. In the ninth, Taylor Walls singled in Jansen.
The Rays loaded the bases in the ninth, but Felix Bautista struck out Caminero to end the game.
The Rays open a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at 7:35 p.m. at Steinbrenner Field. Shane Baz will start for the Rays against Sean Burke.