BALTIMORE—For seven innings, the Orioles were baffled by Baltimore native Shane McClanahan, who started for the American League in the All-Star Game a week before.
McClanahan gave up just two hits to the Orioles but was pulled by Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash after throwing 81 pitches and holding a 3-2 lead.
Colin Poche (2-1) relieved McClanahan in the eighth and gave up a single to Adley Rutschman and a two-run home run to Ramón Urías, and the Orioles had another comeback win, 5-3, before an announced crowd of 11,307 at Camden Yards on Tuesday night.
“He started an All-Star Game for a reason,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s got a great arm. He’s one of the best pitchers in the American League … We had a tough time with him.”
Once McClanahan left, things changed.
“It’s not an easy task to score on Tampa, and I thought we took great at-bats in that inning,” Hyde said. “A bunch of really good things in that eighth inning.”
Urías’ home run was his 11th. He has five in his last 10 games.
“I’m just trusting my plan,” Urías said. “Things are going well. I feel really good at the plate right now. Every day I want to be better. I want to improve my skills and, of course, it feels good having these moments.”
For the third time this season, the Orioles (49-48) are a game above .500, and with Cleveland’s win over Boston, moved past the Red Sox into fourth place in the American League East.
Trey Mancini, whose hitless streak is at 25 at-bats, nearly ended the skid in the eighth, but he flied deep to right to score Jorge Mateo on a sacrifice fly.
Joey Krehbiel threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Oriole starter Spenser Watkins, allowing just one hit. Keegan Akin (2-1) struck out Christian Bethancourt to end the eighth. Jorge López pitched a scoreless ninth for his 19th save.
Cedric Mullins led off the first with a home run, his 13th career leadoff homer and second this season. It was his eighth this year. Two batters later, rightfielder Luke Raley snared Ryan Mountcastle’s drive, robbing him of a home run.
Tampa Bay scored on three singles in the third against Watkins. Randy Arozarena drove in Yu Chang and was thrown out at second.
Isaac Paredes homered to begin the fourth, and Raley followed with a single. Bethancourt lined out to Urías at third, but Urías’ throw to Mancini at first was wild, and Raley took second and scored on a double by Roman Quinn for a 3-1 Tampa Bay lead.
Anthony Santander homered to left, his 17th, with two outs in the fourth, and the Orioles trailed, 3-2.
Watkins allowed a career high 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
“I don’t think there was a single time tonight that we didn’t have a chance to win the game,” Watkins said. “I think everybody throughout the clubhouse thinks that as well. As long as there’s an out available on the board we have a chance. I have a ton of confidence in these guys. It’s almost like we put that out into the world: ‘Hey, we’re going to win,’ and these guys just do it. It’s pretty awesome. It’s fun to watch.”
Notes: Mateo, who doubled in the eighth, stole third. He’s 24-for-28 in steals. Moments later, Mullins stole third. He’s 21-for-27… The Orioles are 14-4 in their last 18 home games. … Mullins’ 13 leadoff home runs are tied for second place in team history with Don Buford, Al Bumbry and Brian Roberts. Brady Anderson has 44. … Tyler Wells (7-6, 3.69) will face Drew Rasmussen (6-3, 3.13) on Wednesday night.
The Orioles signed 12 additional selections from the 2022 draft: Catcher Silas Ardoin (4), right-hander Trace Bright (5), Outfielder Douglas Hodo III (6), right-hander Preston Johnson (7), right-hander Cameron Weston (8), infielder Adam Crampton (9), right-hander Wyatt Cheney (10), right-hander Bradley Brehmer (12), left-hander Jared Beck (13), catcher Adam Retzbach (14), right-hander Graham Firoved (16), and right-hander Reese Sharp (20).
They’ve signed 15 of their 22 draft choices, and their first draft choice, 18-year-old shortstop Jackson Holliday, will sign on Wednesday. After Holliday’s signing, the highest unsigned draft pick is right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean, from Oklahoma State.
Minor league update: DL Hall allowed four runs on six hits while recording just two outs as Triple-A Norfolk lost to Memphis, 8-6. Hall (2-5) gave up two home runs and struck out one, throwing 35 pitches.
Infielder Jordan Westburg was hit in the left foot by a pitch and he’ll undergo further evaluation.
Third baseman Kelvin Gutiérrez drove in three runs and hit his sixth home run. Outfielder Kyle Stowers also drove in three.
Double-A Bowie hit four home runs in its 11-5 win over Altoona. Shortstop Joey Ortiz drove in four runs and hit a three-run homer, his seventh.
Catcher Maverick Handley had a three-run homer, his seventh. Rightfielder Shayne Fontana hit his seventh homer, and second baseman Connor Norby hit his third. Centerfielder Colton Cowser had three hits. Ryan Watson (6-5) allowed a run on three hits in five innings.
First baseman TT Bowens hit a two-run home run, his sixth, centerfielder Johnny Rhodes and rightfielder Heston Kjerstad each drove in two as High-A Aberdeen beat Asheville, 9-5.
Leftfielder Mishael Deson hit a three-run homer, his first, and first baseman Roberto Martinez drove in three runs as Single-A Delmarva beat Lynchburg, 9-7.
The Orioles released outfielder Cristopher Cespedes, who had most recently played for Delmarva.