ST. PETERSBURG, Florida—Albert Suárez had pitched brilliantly, allowing just four hits in a career high 6 2/3 scoreless innings. After 94 pitches, manager Brandon Hyde removed him with a 1-0 lead, and Cionel Pérez and Craig Kimbrel each allowed a run.
The Orioles’ offense couldn’t do anything after Anthony Santander’s 35th home run in the fourth inning and lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-1, before 16,848 at Tropicana Field on Sunday.
Pérez came in with two outs and nobody on in the seventh. He promptly allowed a double to José Caballero and a bloop single to pinch-hitter Dylan Carlson that scored Caballero to tie the game, 1-1.
Kimbrel (6-4) who hasn’t recorded a save since July 7th, walked Brandon Lowe to begin the eighth. He struck out Yandy Diaz, walked Christopher Morel. Lowe and Morel pulled off a double steal, and Hyde decided to walk Josh Lowe intentionally.
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Curtis Mead hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Brandon Lowe, and the Orioles (70-49) trailed, 2-1.
Manuel Rodriguez (2-2) allowed a one-out double to Gunnar Henderson in the eighth, his third hit, and walked Eloy Jiménez with two outs, but pitched a scoreless inning.
Pete Fairbanks struck out Ramón Urías and Jackson Holliday before Cedric Mullins singled. He struck out Colton Cowser for his 23rd save.
Santander led off the fourth inning with his 35th home run against Jeffrey Springs. Santander’s 35 home runs tie him with Ken Singleton for most among Orioles’ switch-hitters. Singleton hit 35 in 1979.
Since June 1st, Santander has 26 home runs and 50 RBIs.
Springs allowed Santander’s home run and gave up six hits in five-plus innings.