The Baltimore Orioles faced the Tampa Bay Rays on September 7, 2024 in a crucial AL East battle at Camden Yards. The Rays dominated the game, securing a 7-1 victory and putting the Orioles’ playoff hopes in a precarious position. After losing the series opener, Baltimore was desperate to bounce back, but Tampa Bay’s pitching and offense were too much to handle. The Orioles couldn’t generate enough offense against the Rays’ elite pitching staff, leaving them with little room for error as the season nears its end.
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Play-By-Play Breakdown
The Rays set the tone early with a strong first inning, scoring two quick runs off Orioles starter Dean Kremer. Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes both singled to set the stage, and Josh Lowe delivered a two-out, two-run double to give Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead. The Orioles struggled to respond offensively, managing only one hit through the first three innings, as Rays starter Shane McClanahan overpowered their lineup with high-velocity fastballs and deceptive breaking balls.
In the top of the fourth, the Rays extended their lead. After a walk to Arozarena, Paredes launched a two-run home run over the left-field wall, pushing Tampa Bay’s advantage to 4-0. Kremer, rattled by the early damage, continued to struggle with command, leading to another big inning for the Rays in the sixth. Arozarena’s RBI single added to the Rays’ lead before a two-run single from Brandon Lowe capped off a 3-run inning, making it 7-0.
The Orioles’ only run came in the bottom of the eighth inning when Ryan Mountcastle launched a solo home run to avoid the shutout. But that was all the offense Baltimore could muster against McClanahan and the Rays’ bullpen, which closed the door on any potential comeback.
Game Day Performance: Orioles + Rays
Dean Kremer: Kremer struggled from the outset, allowing 7 earned runs over 5.2 innings. He gave up 9 hits and 2 walks, including the two-run homer to Paredes that put the game out of reach. While Kremer has been solid for most of the season, this outing exposed his vulnerability to hard contact, especially when falling behind in counts.
Shane McClanahan: McClanahan was brilliant, pitching 7 innings of one-run ball. He struck out 10 Orioles and allowed only 4 hits. His fastball and curveball combination kept the Orioles off balance all night, preventing them from generating any real scoring threats.
Ryan Mountcastle: Mountcastle was a bright spot for the Orioles, going 2-for-4 with the team’s only run, a solo homer in the eighth inning. His power continues to be a vital part of the Orioles’ offense, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit on this night.
Randy Arozarena: Arozarena was a force at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. His ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities set the tone for Tampa Bay’s offense, as he continuously pressured the Orioles’ pitching staff.
Isaac Paredes: Paredes’ two-run homer in the fourth inning was a pivotal moment, extending Tampa Bay’s lead to 4-0. His power and timely hitting have been a key factor in the Rays’ late-season surge, and this game was no exception.
What Worked and What Didn’t for our Oriole Heroes
This game highlighted some of the Orioles’ ongoing challenges, particularly their inconsistency in key situations. Offensively, Baltimore struggled mightily with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-5 in those situations. The team’s inability to string together hits has been a recurring issue against quality pitching staffs, and McClanahan’s dominance was a prime example of how the Orioles need to improve their situational hitting.
Kremer’s struggles with command early in the game left the Orioles in a difficult spot. His tendency to allow base runners, combined with Tampa Bay’s aggressive approach, quickly put the game out of reach. The Rays’ hitters capitalized on Kremer’s mistakes, showing a sharp contrast to Baltimore’s missed opportunities at the plate. As the season winds down, the Orioles will need more consistency from their rotation if they want to stay competitive, especially in high-stakes games against playoff contenders like the Rays.
Defensively, the Orioles were solid, with no errors, but they couldn’t stop the Rays from turning base runners into runs. Arozarena and Paredes continuously found ways to get on base and drive in runs, creating headaches for Baltimore’s pitching staff. In contrast, Baltimore’s offensive struggles left them playing catch-up for most of the game, an unenviable position against a team as well-rounded as Tampa Bay.
The Rays’ bullpen, led by Pete Fairbanks, shut down any attempt by the Orioles to rally late in the game. Fairbanks, along with the rest of Tampa Bay’s bullpen, has been a significant asset in close games, and their ability to hold leads late in games has been crucial to the Rays’ success this season.
The 7-1 loss to the Rays marks a significant setback for the Orioles in their quest to hold on to the top spot in the AL East. Tampa Bay’s strong pitching and timely hitting proved too much for Baltimore, whose struggles with situational hitting and inconsistent pitching were glaring in this game. With the playoff race intensifying, the Orioles will need to make adjustments quickly if they hope to avoid slipping out of first place and into a wild-card spot.
Despite the tough loss, the Orioles have shown resilience throughout the season and still have time to turn things around. Ryan Mountcastle’s late homer was a reminder that the team has the offensive firepower to compete with the best teams in the league. However, they will need to be more consistent at the plate, particularly against top-tier pitching, if they hope to finish the season strong and make a deep playoff run.
The Rays, on the other hand, are showing no signs of slowing down. Their balanced approach, combining elite pitching with timely hitting, makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the league heading into October. The Orioles will need to find a way to match that balance if they want to secure their place in the postseason and avoid falling behind in the divisional race.
As the Orioles head into the final weeks of the regular season, every game will be crucial. While this loss stings, Baltimore still controls its own destiny. With some key adjustments and improved consistency on both sides of the ball, the Orioles have the talent and determination to rebound and finish the season on a high note.