Rays get some runs, and a win, too

BALTIMORE — The challenge for the Rays had been to score runs but they came through on Saturday, snapping a 15-inning drought that started Thursday.

They got four in the third inning alone, matching their total from the previous four games, and six by the fifth inning.

But that still wasn’t enough as they lost the lead in the sixth, then had to rally in the ninth to defeat the Orioles 7-6 to halt a four-game losing streak (which matched a season high).

The Rays (36-29) went back ahead on a sacrifice fly by Harold Ramirez that scored Yandy Diaz, who drew a one-out walk. Ji-Man Choi singled and Randy Arozarena was hit by a Dillon Tate pitch to load the bases.

Rays starter Jeffrey Springs came into the game with a 12 ⅓-inning scoreless streak, but he gave up two runs in the second. He allowed two singles (one a bunt), then a double to left that was mishandled slightly by Arozarena and two runs scored.

Shut out since the fifth inning of Thursday’s game at Yankee Stadium, the Rays broke through in the third. As sometimes happens in these cases, the hits weren’t particularly hard — the first three were to the opposite field.

Francisco Mejia, who had a four-hit day, got them started with a single to left-center, Kevin Kiermaier blooped a ball just inside the left-field line, and Manuel Margot lined a two-run double to right.

Diaz followed with a single — making four actual hits in a row for the Rays — and with two outs, Ramirez doubled to right to score two more, then was thrown out trying to get to third.

The Rays had extended the lead to 6-2 in the fifth when Diaz led off with a double and Choi followed with a homer, his sixth.

But nothing is easy for the Rays these days.

Springs allowed a leadoff single, then after a wild pitch and a groundout that moved Austin Hays to third, with the infield playing in, another to Ryan Mountcastle. That got the Orioles a run and ended Springs’ day.