BALTIMORE (AP) — Jorge Mateo hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the sixth inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Friday night. It was the first meeting of the season between the teams after the Orioles (101-61) edged the Rays (99-63) in a fierce race for the AL East title last year. Baltimore scored all three of its runs in the sixth after Tampa Bay’s Aaron Civale took a shutout into that inning.
Civale left after Anthony Santander’s one-out single, and Richard Lovelady (1-4) allowed singles to Colton Cowser and pinch-hitter Austin Hays, the latter of which tied the game. After Rámon Urías struck out, Phil Maton came on and yielded Mateo’s drive to left-center field that scored both runners. Cionel Pérez (1-0) got the win as the first of five Baltimore relievers after Albert Suárez worked five innings.
Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth for his 13th save in 16 chances. Suárez had a high pitch count early, but allowed only one run on four hits and two walks while striking out five. The 34-year-old journeyman might have a spot in the rotation for a while after the Orioles announced before the game that John Means and Tyler Wells need elbow surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Ben Rortvedt in the second. PHILLIES 4, CARDINALS 2 PHILAEDELPHIA (AP) — Edmundo Sosa homered, Bryce Harper doubled and singled and Philadelphia beat St. Louis for their seventh consecutive win at home.
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