Kremer aces final in Orioles’ 6-0 win over Rays

BALTIMORE–What happened? In his final start of the season, Dean Kremer continued his dominance over the Tampa Bay Rays. Kremer is 5-1 with a 1.64 ERA against the Rays. On Tuesday night, he allowed one hit in 6 1/3 scoreless innings as the Orioles beat Tampa Bay, 6-0, before 15,267 at Camden Yards.

Kremer (11-10) gave up a single to Chandler Simpson leading off the fourth. He struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. The 29-year-old right-hander hit Junior Caminero with a pitch with one out in the seventh, and that was the last pitch he’ll throw in 2025.

“It was really good. I feel like we’ve seen that outing seven or eight times this year, that same type of deal,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Commanding the pitches, attacking the zone. When he got behind, he was able to get back in the fight a little bit, getting them to put the ball in play, weak contact. It was a very nice outing for him right there.”

The Orioles (74-83), who lost three of four to the Yankees, have five games left — two with Tampa Bay (76-81) and three at Yankee Stadium this weekend. If the Orioles sweep the series, they’ll be tied with the Rays for fourth place in the American League East.

José Castillo allowed a hit and retired two batters following Kremer in the seventh. Colin Selby pitched a spotless eighth and Yaramil Hiraldo a hitless ninth to secure the Orioles’ seventh shutout.

Tampa Bay starter Ryan Pepiot (11-12) allowed two runs in the first on Gunnar Henderson’s sacrifice fly and Tyler O’Neill’s run-scoring infield out. Henderson knocked in the third run with a single in the third.

Jordan Westburg’s sacrifice fly in the fifth and Colton Cowser’s two-run home run in the sixth, his 16^th, gave the Orioles a 6-0 lead.

Catcher Adley Rutschman returned from the 10-day injured list and was hitless in four at-bats.

“Our pitching guys said, I think it was the eighth or ninth inning, they made the comment, ‘He just knows what he’s doing back there.’” Mansolino said.

“In terms of calling the game, don’t undervalue the fact Deano just had such an efficient, clean outing the first day Adley’s back. He has become a very good catcher in this league in understanding how to get hitters out and how to navigate the game multiple times through the order with our pitchers, specifically, too. I thought it was a very nice game behind the plate. Liked where he’s at. Give him a few days, hopefully he gets the bat going.”

The game began after a 71-minute rain delay. Rain is in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

What kind of a season has it been for Kremer? Kremer ends the season with a strong performance, and Mansolino had nothing but praise.

“Deano is a very valuable part of this team in a lot of ways,” Mansolino said. “Obviously, what you see on the field, but behind the scenes, what he does in the clubhouse as well, he’s been one of the guys who has stepped up a little bit and kind of helped guide us in the clubhouse.

“Obviously, on the field, he’s a guy who has good starts, a lot of them, eats innings, wins big games. He’s pitching in the AL East, too. All these teams he’s facing in this division, they’ve seen him a ton here over the last five years. So, to see him go out against another AL East foe that’s a solid team, probably hasn’t been playing their best here lately, but to still navigate it the way he did speaks volumes of what Dean does.”

Cowser thinks Kremer has been a huge positive for the Orioles this season.

“He’s been a workhouse,” Cowser said. “He came in on both sides of the plate. I feel like he’s been doing that all year. For him, kind of assuming a leadership role has kind of [come] naturally to him, and I think he’s doing it extremely well, and doing an extremely good job and looking forward to his success and what he’s going to work on in the offseason.”

How good can the Orioles’ lineup be in 2026? The Orioles are 13-7 in September, and Cowser likes how the team is playing

“[It’s] one of those things when you look at how the trade deadline went, got rid of a lot of guys and be able to jell together as a team is really important, especially this last month,” he said. “Even against the Yankees, I don’t feel like we played all that poorly, but this month has been really good, and we’re looking to finishing strong. Hopefully, we win as many games as possible. We only have five left.”

What does it mean? Kremer has solidified his place in the Orioles’ rotation for next season. He’s been dependable and, like Tuesday night, occasionally outstanding.

What’s the stat of the day? The Orioles limited Tampa Bay to two hits.

What’s the word? “There’s a lot to be learned. There’s a lot to be happy about. There’s some things that were a little frustrating throughout the year but grow every year and try to get better.”–Kremer on the 2025 season. 

What’s next? Tyler Wells (2-0, 2.04) will face Shane Baz (10-12, 4.99) on Wednesday night at 6:35.

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