Cowser’s heroics for 2nd straight day lift Orioles to another stunning win, 9-7 over Rays in 13

BALTIMORE–What happened? In the early weeks of a disappointing 2026 season, Colton Cowser had been one of the most underperforming of all Orioles. Suddenly, that’s changed.

For the second time in two days, Cowser’s home run gave the Orioles a most unlikely win. Cowser, who had one home run before winning Sunday’s first game with a three-run homer in the last of the ninth, hit a two-run homer to cap a four-run 13^th and give the Orioles a 9-7 win over the Tampa Bay Rays before 22,388 at Camden Yards on Monday.

The thrilling win featured three comeback innings. The Orioles and Rays were tied at 2-2 after nine. Tampa Bay scored two in the top of the 11^th, and the Orioles matched that. Each team scored a run in the 12^th, and after the Orioles fell behind, 7-5, they scored four in the 13^th.

“Absolutely, definitely uplifting in the sense of, we kept on getting punched and we didn’t waver,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “We kept on having great at-bats. It’s tough when the visiting team, I wouldn’t say has the advantage, but they put up two and now we’re chasing, or they put up one.

“Our guys did a great job of not trying to do too much and having great at-bats and passing the baton to the next guy. I couldn’t be more proud of this group.”

Last week, the Rays (35-16) swept the Orioles (23-31) in three games at Tropicana Field.

Leody Taveras’ RBI double and Jackson Holliday’s sacrifice fly tied it at 7 before Cowser hit his third home run, something he wasn’t aiming to do.

“It was to get something out over and just try to put something in play through the middle,” Cowser said. “A single was all we needed and ended up hitting homer. So, I should, you know, do that more often.”

An inning earlier, Cowser tied the score at 7-7 when, as the automatic runner who moved to third on a fly ball by Taylor Ward, he scored on Gunnar Henderson’s sharp bouncer to first.

Initially, Cowser was called out, and then ruled safe after a lengthy appeal.

“[Third base coach Buck Britton] and I were over there, and it’s something that we work on a lot. It’s selling out on a low line drive,” Cowser said.

“It’s one of those things that we’re taking a chance. If he catches that, we’re stuck there, but he picked it and he made a great play, and I had a pretty good walking lead, good momentum, and I was able to stick my [left] hand in there.

“So, just the way the throw was, I didn’t really have time to react, and a lot of time with the contact play at home, when you go in with your feet your foot kind of has to get flat and just felt like my hand could get onto the plate quicker.”

In his first game back in Baltimore, Cedric Mullins’ single scored automatic runner Oliver Dunn with the go-ahead run, and the Rays added another on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 13^th.

The Orioles scored two runs in the 11^th after Tyler Wells gave up a two-run home run to Victor Mesa Jr. in the top of the inning.

Pete Alonso’s single drove in automatic runner Adley Rutschman, and after Alonso took second on a throwing error by Chandler Simpson in left, Jeremiah Jackson’s single scored Alonso with the tying run.

How important is this win for the Orioles? The Orioles end the first third of the season with a 24-30 record. That would put them on a pace to lose 90 games.

“It feels like the AL is kind of a toss-up right now,” Cowser said. “All we can really do is control what we can control and keep playing fundamental baseball.

“We kind of lost it there for a little bit, not getting the bunt down and was able to come back through. But contact plays, first-to-thirds, those things like that are what’s going to keep this team rolling. Pitching was great today, and bats did enough.”

Kyle Bradish, who allowed only Jonathan Aranda’s home run in the sixth, watched the rest of the game in the clubhouse.

“I’m in here, and I turn into a fan watching the game,” he said. “All the guys that were in here, living and dying by every pitch. We were really excited for that, and then Cowser came through again.”

How important has this stretch been for Cowser? Albernaz thinks Cowser is on an upswing, though the stats haven’t pointed it out.

“I hope so. I mean, two shots like that,” Albernaz said. “But no, his confidence has been there … He had a couple tough stretches, but he stuck with his process, stuck with the work, and now we get to see that come to fruition right now. His at-bats have been better as of late, but outstanding right now.”

Cowser thought it was an important win for the Orioles.

“Honestly, the way the game was going, we just kept scoring when they were scoring, and it felt like we were never out of it,” he said.

“Pete keeps saying it, we were in the trenches with them and just to keep grinding. Lineup just kept coming through and kept putting ourselves in good positions to win the game and ultimately came through.”

How well did Bradish pitch? Even though Bradish pitched two hours before the game was decided, his strong start was important. He allowed one run on five hits in six innings, and he’s pitched well in four straight starts.

“Just keep building where we’re at,” Bradish said. “Each start’s getting better and better. Today was one pitch, but if we stay there we’re going to win a lot of games.”

What does it mean? The Orioles had two important comeback wins in two games but still need an extended run to be a contender.

What’s the stat of the day? 2. Cowser is the second player in franchise history to hit walkoff home runs on consecutive days. Fred Lynn did it on May 10^th-11^th, 1985.

What’s the word?  “We all know what he’s capable of, and I think he’s getting out of whatever he was in and starting to be the player that he is.”-Bradish on Cowser

What’s next? The Orioles will play their second of three games against Tampa Bay on Tuesday night at 6:35. Shane Baz (1-5, 4.87) will start against Griffin Jax (1-2, 3.54).

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com