Orioles beat Rays 5-1 for first series sweep since 2018

BALTIMORE (AP) — Hanser Alberto doubled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, Renato Núñez and Pat Valaika homered, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

After the final out, the Orioles celebrated (with proper social distancing) their first series sweep since Aug. 27-29, 2018, against Toronto, and first against Tampa Bay since 2016.

“It's still real early in the season, but we beat a good club," manager Brandon Hyde said. “Very happy with the sweep, for sure."

For a team coming off successive 100-loss seasons, there's no downplaying the feeling of taking three in a row from a club that went to the playoffs last year.

“It’s huge anytime you can get a sweep, no matter how often it comes or how often it doesn’t come," Orioles starter Tommy Milone said. “I said before the season started that we’re going to surprise some people, and we’re doing that right now.”

Brandon Lowe homered for the Rays, who have dropped five straight to fall two games under .500 (4-6) for the first time since June 28, 2018 (39-41).

Tampa Bay scored only eight runs in the series. It had all sorts of trouble over the weekend trying to hit the off-speed pitches from Wade LeBlanc and Milone.

“Our approach can certainly be better," manager Kevin Cash said. “We just have to come together a little better as a group."

With the score 1-all in the seventh, Cedric Mullins reached on a bunt against Jalen Beeks (0-1). Chaz Roe entered and Mullins stole second before Alberto hit an opposite-field liner to right. Núñez followed with an RBI single, and José Iglesias added a run-scoring double into the left-field corner.

Valaika made it 5-1 with a solo shot in the eighth.

“Things are happening really good for us," Núñez...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Orioles-beat-Rays-5-1-for-first-series-sweep-15452992.php