Orioles vs Rays Recap: Rays explode for 16-6 win

The Baltimore Orioles visited Tampa Bay on Monday, May 18, looking to bounce back after their win against Washington. However, the Rays had other plans. Starting pitcher Trevor Rogers took the mound for Baltimore, while Shane McClanahan started for the home team. The Rays came out swinging early, scoring in the first inning when Yandy Díaz's sacrifice fly brought home a run. Things got worse for Baltimore in the second inning as Tampa Bay exploded for five runs. Multiple hits kept the Rays' momentum rolling, and by the end of two innings, they led 6-0. The Orioles needed to find an answer quickly, but the Rays' early offensive onslaught proved too much to overcome. Baltimore's pitching depth faced real challenges against Tampa Bay's aggressive lineup.

Tampa Bay's bats stayed hot throughout the middle innings, adding even more pressure on Baltimore. In the fourth inning, the Rays scored again when Ryan Vilade tripled to center field, bringing in another run. The Orioles tried to fight back, starting with a home run by Weston Wilson in the fifth inning that sailed 363 feet. However, Baltimore's comeback attempt stalled when the Rays responded immediately. During the fifth inning, Caminero crushed a two-run home run to right-center field, traveling 380 feet and extending the Rays' lead. Tampa Bay also scored on a groundout by Aranda, pushing their advantage even further. By the middle innings, the Rays had built an commanding lead that seemed impossible for the Orioles to overcome.

The sixth inning became devastating for Baltimore as Tampa Bay added four more runs without slowing down. Palacios singled to center, scoring Fortes, while Díaz followed with a powerful double to center that traveled 400 feet and brought in two runs. Vilade capped the inning with another single, extending the Rays' lead to 16-4. Baltimore continued swinging throughout the game, with Rutschman hitting a 419-foot home run in the seventh inning and Alexander doubling in the eighth. Despite their efforts, the Orioles couldn't match Tampa Bay's offensive firepower. The final score read 16-6, giving the Rays a dominant win. Tampa Bay's balanced hitting attack and consistent scoring throughout the game showed why they ranked among baseball's best teams.

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