Orioles end 4-game losing streak with 3 home runs, hold on for 5-3 win over Rays

TAMPA–What happened? After losing four straight games, the Orioles hit three home runs and received another quality start from Trevor Rogers, earning a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays before 9,195 at George Mr. Steinbrenner Field on Sunday.

Jackson Holliday, who ended Saturday night’s game with a fly ball to deep center field, led off the game with his 13^th home run against Ryan Pepiot (6-8), his second leadoff home run of the season.

“What a crazy game, right?” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “With how last night ended, we’re about 2 feet short on Jackson hitting a possible go-ahead homer, and leads off the game against Pepiot with a solo shot. The game’s poetic in a lot of ways. I’ve said it before and it’s true. It’s an amazing thing. But I thought the guys competed well.”

Catcher Alex Jackson led off the third with a home run against Pepiot (6-8), his first. Holliday walked, Jordan Westburg singled, and Gunnar Henderson hit a two-run double for a 4-0 lead.

After Ramón Laureano struck out for the second out, he was ejected by home plate umpire James Hoye, who also threw him out on May 14^th. Mansolino came out to defend Laureano, and he was ejected, too.

Rogers (3-1) allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. He was replaced after a 2-hour, 36-minute rain delay.

“I think that was my last inning there,” Rogers said. “I think I kind of hit the end in terms of energy level. I gave it everything I had that last inning. Execution-wise was really important today, stuff-wise was probably one of my least quality outings in terms of stuff. But against that team, going six full innings with two runs and giving my team a chance to win, I’ll take that any day.”

Junior Caminero’s RBI single scored Yandy Diaz in the third, and Danny Jansen hit a home run in the fourth. Rogers, who struck out three and walked two, retired the last nine batters to face him.

Ryan O’Hearn’s 12^th home run in the sixth, gave the Orioles (44-54) a 5-2 lead.

Yennier Cano pitched a spotless seventh; Andrew Kittredge a scoreless eighth.

In the ninth, Félix Bautista walked three batters and allowed an RBI single to Taylor Walls before striking out Caminero with the bases loaded for his 19^th save.

“I had Ramón Laureano sitting with me,” Mansolino said.”I was kind of stressing out watching it. I was focusing on Ramón’s explanation of the swing and the delivery of just in general, and Félix. It was actually the perfect distraction to have in the inning. Nonetheless, we got through it. We won, and that’s the important thing.”

What’s the latest on Bradish, Rutschman and others on injured list? Right-hander Kyle Bradish, who had season-ending elbow surgery last year, is scheduled to make his first rehab start on Thursday at High-A Aberdeen.

“Cautious optimism,” Mansolino said. “We see some of those rehab stints knowing that aren’t super linear or step-by-step. They can go sideways at times/ Just cautiously optimistic. Excited for him … Excited to see him go through it. He’s doing a great job. He’s a really important part of the organization.

Left-hander Cade Povich, who’s recovering from left hip inflammation, will make another rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday or Friday.

Catcher Adley Rutschman, who is recovering from an oblique injury, took live at-bats against right-hander Tyler Wells on Sunday in Sarasota. Wells had season-inning elbow surgery last year. Rutschman is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Norfolk on Tuesday. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who is recovering from a hamstring strain, should join Rutschman sometime this week.

Right-hander Scott Blewett, who went on the 15-day injured list on July 13^th with right elbow discomfort, is gathering medical opinions. Mansolino said that “it doesn’t sound as if it’s catastrophic by any means.”

Mansolino said that no decision had been made on whether Wells will start or relieve when he returns to the active roster.

What happened with the ejection? Mansolino said he was defending Laureano after the outfielder was ejected.

“I think that’s the second time that’s happened with James this year, same exact scenario,” Mansolino said. “Ramón Laureano is a guy we love, that’s passionate, that’s a leader, that does so many things right. James Hoye is a great umpire and it just was a tough situation and it just turned out the way that it did.”

Henderson appreciated Mansolino sticking up for Laureano.

“I told him I need to see a little bit more fire when I get ejected,” he said. “Yeah, I’m going to give him a hard time about that. It was cool. Yeah, Manso always has our backs. He’s been awesome.”

What does it mean? Bautista hadn’t pitched since July 10th, and the Orioles were fortunate to hold on for the win.

What’s the stat of the day? After hitting just one home run in their past five games, the Orioles hit three.

What’s the word? “We’re obviously up early this morning and that awesome rain delay right there in the middle probably didn’t help but I’m proud of the way we came back out, had competitive at-bats there and had a chance to score a couple more runs but ultimately came out with the win.”-Henderson on the game.

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Jeremiah Jackson and TT Bowens each hit their 10^th home runs in Triple-A Norfolk’s 6-4 loss to Syracuse.

Double-A Chesapeake was held to three hits in its 4-0 loss to Erie.

Five High-A Aberdeen pitchers held Wilmington to three hits in a 4-0 IronBirds win.

According to Carlos Collazo of Baseball America, the Orioles have signed their third-round draft pick, outfielder RJ Austin; fifth-round pick, shortstop Jaiden Loe Re; and outfielder Cam Lee, their ninth-round choice to contracts.

What’s next? The Orioles will open a four-game series with the Cleveland Guardians on Monday at 6:40 p.m. Tomoyuki Sugano (7-5, 4.44) will face Tanner Bibee (5-9, 4.29).

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