Arozarena HR in 8th, Rays keep pecking away at Orioles

BALTIMORE (AP) — Randy Arozarena hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Tampa Bays Rays continued their dominance over the Baltimore Orioles with a 4-3 victory Saturday night.

The AL East leaders improved to 17-1 against the Orioles this year, including 10 comeback wins. The Rays have beaten Baltimore 11 straight times.

“We’ve done a good job coming back late," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "We’ve done a good job adding runs late in games. You do notice in the dugout the guys stay consistent with their mentality.”

The Rays trailed 3-2 in the eighth before reliever Cole Sulser (3-3) walked Kevin Kiermaier on five pitches and then allowed the two-run shot by Arozarena, who has hit eight of his 17 home runs against Baltimore this season.

“We're a very aggressive team,” Arozarena said through an interpreter. “We never stop until that last out is made. We're a very dedicated team and we're out here to win every single time so we can make our way into the playoffs.”

The Rays have outscored the Orioles 51-12 in the seventh inning or later, and 38-6 at Camden Yards.

Reliever JT Chargois (4-0) pitched a scoreless seventh and Andrew Kittredge picked up his fourth save.

Tampa Bay starter Michael Wacha allowed a leadoff double to Pedro Severino and walked No. 9 hitter Kelvin Gutierrez in the fifth, ending his night. Reliever Adam Conley hit Cedric Mullins to load the bases and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Mountcastle gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

The Orioles scored twice more in the sixth when Austin Hays led off with a pinch-hit triple and scored on a double by Severino. Jorge Mateo followed with a run-scoring single for a 3-0 lead.

Left-hander John Means has been one of Baltimore’s most reliable starters. He was dominant before allowing a single to Yandy Diaz and...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Arozarena-HR-in-8th-Rays-keep-pecking-away-at-16419146.php