Jorge Mateo hit a two-run double in the sixth inning, breaking the tie and helping the Baltimore Orioles secure a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
This was the first match of the season between the two teams, following a close race last year for the AL East title, with the Orioles narrowly edging out the Rays. Baltimore scored all three of its runs in the sixth inning after Tampa Bay’s Aaron Civale kept them scoreless until then.
Civale exited the game after Anthony Santander’s single, and Richard Lovelady allowed singles to Colton Cowser and pinch-hitter Austin Hays, which tied the game. Then, Phil Maton came in and gave up Mateo’s double to left-center field, bringing home both runners.
Manager Brandon Hyde praised Mateo for his clutch hit, noting his ability to hit the ball hard and deep into the ballpark. Cionel Pérez earned the win as the first of five Baltimore relievers after Albert Suárez pitched five innings.
Suárez, who had a high pitch count early on, managed to limit the Rays to just one run and four hits while striking out five. This solid performance might secure him a spot in the rotation, especially since the Orioles announced that John Means and Tyler Wells will miss the rest of the season due to elbow surgery.
Tampa Bay took an early lead with an RBI single by Ben Rortvedt in the second inning. In roster moves, the Rays brought up Justin Sterner from Triple-A Durham and sent Tyler Alexander down to Durham. Sterner made his Major League debut in the seventh inning and pitched two scoreless innings.
