Orioles 11-2 – Blaze Alexander hit his first home run of the season and drove in six runs as the Baltimore Orioles routed the Tampa Bay Rays 11-2 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.
For Baltimore, it wasn’t just the win—it was the way the game kept slipping out of Tampa Bay’s hands. By the time the Orioles’ five-run first inning settled in, the rhythm belonged to Baltimore, and it never really came back.
Blaze Alexander hit his first home run of the season and drove in six runs, while Gunnar Henderson added two homers of his own to help the Baltimore Orioles rout the Tampa Bay Rays 11-2 on Wednesday night and complete a three-game sweep.
Trey Gibson (1-0) earned his first major league victory by allowing one run in 5 2/3 innings. The Orioles backed him with 16 hits.
Leody Taveras and Tyler O’Neill added RBIs as Baltimore improved to 5-1 during a 10-game homestand. Adley Rutschman finished with three hits.
The Rays, even with 10 hits, couldn’t turn early chances into runs. Tampa Bay went 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position and dropped its fourth straight. Steven Matz (4-2) managed only three innings and allowed five of his season-high six runs during the first.
Baltimore’s scoring sequence told the story quickly: Henderson’s two-run home run started the five-run first. and Alexander’s two-run single completed it. Henderson then hit a solo drive in the sixth off Jonathan Heasley. finishing his third career multi-homer game and Baltimore’s third this season. Alexander added another burst in the seventh with a two-run drive off Heasley.
Gibson allowed six hits and walked four, but he kept control when it mattered, inducing three double plays. In the third inning, he struck out Yandy Díaz, then got Richie Palacios to ground out to leave the bases loaded.
The game still had its own late sting. Orioles reliever Yennier Cano departed in the eighth inning with right hamstring discomfort after working into a 3-0 count against Vilade.
Tampa Bay’s scoring threats landed on failures at key moments. Ryan Vilade brought the Rays some life with an AL-leading RBI day that included a sixth-inning fielder’s choice and an eighth-inning, bases-loaded walk—both coming in the losing effort.
Up next for Tampa Bay. Rays RHP Nick Martinez (4-1. 1.51 ERA) was set to open a three-game home set Friday against the Los Angeles Angels. The Orioles begin their next stretch at home as well. with Orioles RHP Chris Bassitt (4-3. 5.51) scheduled to start at home Thursday in the first of four against Toronto.
Baltimore Orioles Tampa Bay Rays Blaze Alexander Gunnar Henderson Adley Rutschman Trey Gibson Steven Matz Nick Martinez Chris Bassitt MLB