James McCann came through with a crucial hit in the ninth inning, driving in two runs with a single to lift the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night after enduring a lengthy five-hour rain delay.
The Orioles found themselves trailing 3-0 before mounting a comeback, scoring twice in the eighth inning against the Royals’ bullpen, despite a strong start by Kansas City’s pitcher, Cole Ragans.
As the game reached the ninth inning with the score at 3-2, Royals’ closer Will Smith struggled, walking Ryan Mountcastle and giving up a single to Anthony Santander. Following a sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk, and a strikeout, McCann stepped up and delivered the game-winning hit with a single to left field.
Originally scheduled to start at 1:05 p.m., the game was delayed until the early evening due to persistent rain. However, the teams decided to wait out the delay rather than reschedule the game for a later date, as neither team had favorable off days.
Despite the delay, the atmosphere in the clubhouse remained positive, with players engaging in various activities to pass the time.
Fans who waited out the delay were rewarded with the opportunity to choose any available seat in the stadium and received a voucher for a future weekday game.
Ragans put up an impressive performance, retiring 18 of the first 19 batters he faced, allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out seven over 6 1/3 shutout innings. Maikel Garcia homered, and Salvador Perez contributed with three hits and two RBIs for the Royals, but their efforts were not enough to secure a win.
Orioles’ starter Corbin Burnes pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs and nine hits. Despite facing challenges, Burnes managed to keep the game close. In the end, Yennier Cano earned the win for the Orioles with a scoreless ninth inning, securing the victory for Baltimore.
