O's game blog: The homestand finale

The Orioles' four-game series with Tampa Bay and seven-game homestand conclude today with an early afternoon game versus the Rays.

The Orioles won the first two games of this series by 5-1 and 5-3 scores, and the Rays won 6-4 in 10 innings last night on Randy Arozarena's two-run double in the 10th. 

Tampa Bay (53-45) ended a four-game losing streak and improved to 24-19 versus American League East teams and to 22-27 in road games. The Rays are now 8-6 in extra innings. This season, 55.1 percent (54-of-98) of Tampa Bay’s games have been decided by two runs or fewer, and they are 27-27 in such games. 

The Orioles (49-49) begin play today in fourth in the AL East, 1/2 game ahead of Boston (49-50). The Rays now hold the third wild card spot in the American League and lead Cleveland by 2 1/2 games for that spot, with the Orioles and Chicago White Sox four games back and Boston 4 1/2 out.

The Orioles fell to 7-4 in extra innings and to 3-1 versus the Rays this year in extra-inning games after Wednesday's loss.

Anthony Santander went 1-for-4 with a single and run scored last night. He extended his hit streak to a season-high seven games and is batting .296/.387/.593 (8-for-27) with two doubles, two home runs, six runs, and five RBIs in that span.

Baltimore shortstop Jorge Mateo was 2-for-4 and hit a game-tying, solo home run in the ninth inning. That marked his first career game-tying home run in the ninth inning or later. Mateo extended his hit streak to eight games, one shy of his season high, and is batting .355/.355/.613 with three doubles, one triple, one home run, six runs, and three RBIs during his streak.

O's DH Trey Mancini went 2-for-4 with a walk and singles in the fifth and ninth innings. He snapped the 0-for-26 skid he had been on since July 15.

Righty Jordan Lyles (6-8, 4.79 ERA) will make the start for the Orioles in the series finale. In 10 starts since June 1 his ERA is 5.34 and he has allowed a batting average of .280 and OPS of .829 in that span.

Lefty Ryan Yarbrough (0-5, 5.61 ERA) starts for Tampa Bay. The team is 1-6 in his 2022 starts. Over his past four games in the majors - two in June and two in July - his ERA is 8.27, and he has allowed 15 earned runs over 16 1/3 innings.

Mo Gaba Day: The Orioles are hosting the inaugural Mo Gaba Day today at the ballpark. They are celebrating the life and legacy of the O's superfan on the second anniversary of his passing. The Orioles will welcome his mom, Sonsy, as well as numerous family, friends and caretakers from Johns Hopkins Children's Center, who will be seated in the Orioles Heroes Corner.

Established in 2021, Heroes Corner serves as a way for the Orioles to give back to the community and show their appreciation to front-line workers by donating tickets to local organizations. Fans who purchase tickets to today's game can choose to include a donation to the Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Mo's honor. for more information on the inaugural Mo Gaba Day, in addition to the life and legacy of Mo, visit Orioles.com/MoGabaDay.

Gaba was elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2020, just a day before his passing. He was the second recipient of the Wild Bill Hagy Award, as one of the most passionate and devoted fans in franchise history.