Ramón Urías hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, Ryan Mountcastle drove in three runs, and the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-5 on Saturday night.
Baltimore moved into a one-game lead over the Yankees in the division after New York split a doubleheader with Texas.
“We are watching the games,” Urías said. “Feels good to have the advantage again. Just keep competing and focus on our side.” The Orioles have beaten the Rays 8 times out of 9 this season, including a perfect 6-0 record on the road.
Baltimore jumped to a 4-0 lead after two innings but lost that advantage. Urías hit a two-run homer off Colin Poche (1-2) during a three-run eighth inning, putting the Orioles ahead 7-4.
Poche left the game after Mountcastle’s RBI single hit the back of his leg. Rays manager Kevin Cash said Poche is OK.
Pinch-hitter Jose Siri reduced the Rays’ deficit to 7-5 with a two-out, bases-loaded walk off Cionel Pérez in the eighth. Pérez then got a fly ball from José Caballero to end the inning.
Seranthony Domínguez pitched the ninth inning and earned his second save in three chances.
Craig Kimbrel, who is fifth all-time with 440 saves, last pitched on August 6 and hasn’t been used in the ninth inning in his last three appearances.
“I’m just trying to get Kimbrel going a little bit,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “Has got a little bit of a rough patch. We have a lot of faith in Craig.”
The Rays tied the game at 4 in the seventh inning with Caballero’s solo homer against Burch Smith (4-0).
Tampa Bay has lost four of its last five games and is now at a .500 record of 58-58.
Josh Lowe got the Rays’ first hit off Corbin Burnes with one out in the fifth inning and scored from third base on a throwing error by catcher Adley Rutschman during Caballero’s steal of second base. Consecutive RBI doubles by Alex Jackson, who was hitting .110, and Jonny DeLuca brought the Rays within 4-3.
