Sunday, 4 a.m.
If Taj Bradley is indeed a better pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays this season, word has yet to reach Baltimore.
The Orioles battered Bradley relentlessly Saturday afternoon, humbling the second-year Rays pitcher in a 9-5 victory. Baltimore scored nine runs on nine hits in a 10-out span. Coming into the game, he had allowed three home runs; Saturday, he allowed four more.
The Rays fell to 28-31 on the season, and stayed just one percentage point ahead of Toronto for fourth place in the AL East.
Tampa Bay tried to compete early, and in fact led 5-4 in the third on three straight walks. But the Rays couldn’t keep pace with the Orioles’ long ball.
The Rays had 10 hits — same as Baltimore — but left 10 men on base and were three-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Rays did not score in their final six at bats.
Ryan Mountcastle had two of Baltimore’s home runs. Anthony Santander and Jordan Westberg also homered.
The Orioles go for a sweep today at 1 p.m. at Camden Yards when the teams play again. Zack Littell will start for the Rays against Cole Irvin.