Wrapping up a 6-2 victory on opening day

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are 5-2 against the Rays on opening day and have won 13 of 20 games between them since the start of last season. They've held Tampa Bay to three runs or fewer 13 times and now lead the all-time series 149-148.

Here are a few more fun facts after a season-opening 6-2 win:

* The Orioles' three home runs were one short of their opening day record. They hit four in 2006 and 1982.

* The Orioles have won five straight opening day games and are 40-22 all-time.

* Chris Tillman has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 21 of his last 22 regular season starts since June 10, 2014. He's 9-4 with a 2.33 ERA in that span and the Orioles have gone 16-6. They're 12-1 in his starts since July 29, 2014.

* Alejandro De Aza is the third leadoff hitter in Orioles history to homer on opening day, joining Brady Anderson in 1999 and Johnny Temple in 1962.

* De Aza's homer came on a 10-pitch at-bat. The Orioles hit only one homer last season on the 10th pitch or later - Steve Pearce on July 1 vs. the Rangers.

* Ryan Flaherty hit his first road home run since June 23, 2013 off Dustin McGowan in Toronto after 12 straight at home. It was his first career homer on an 0-2 pitch.

* Travis Snider is the first player with three hits in his Orioles debut since Ronny Paulino (insert car joke here) in 2012.

"I thought it went well," Tillman said after allowing one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. "I started off a little shaky, but we were able to get back in it. Fastball command got better as I went. My off-speed pitches were a struggle all day, but we were able to make some really good pitches with the fastball to get through that."

Tillman said he was too amped up in last year's opener.

"It was much easier today," he said. "You're always going to have the nerves on opening day, but it was nothing like last year. I was able to keep it under control, starting in the bullpen and coming into the game. I was happy with it."

Unlike past years, Tillman didn't have trouble turning it up a notch after spring training.

"I think my last couple starts in spring this year, I took it like a real game and I think that'll help me," he said. "Hopefully, learn from it and get better next time if I'm fortunate enough to make another opening day start. In the past, I have struggled making that change, but I did a good job of it today."

The defense was solid behind him as usual.

"That's all of them," he said. "Travis Snider picked me up big time in right field. I think all around they did a good job. We know our defense is going to be there. That's one of our strong points is our defense and it's fun to pitch with those guys behind you."

Snider was playing right field, where Nick Markakis patrolled on opening day the past eight seasons.

"I think it's important for him," Tillman said. "I think we've got big shoes to fill and he did every bit of it today. He made some good plays, a good throw and some big hits. I'm happy for him. I really am. I'm pulling for the guy."

"I don't look at it as filling anybody's shoes," Snider said. "I understand what Nick was able to do here as I've said before. He's a tremendous player, but the focus for us remains on the guys that are here and whatever we've got to do every night to win ballgames."

Snider had three hits, drove in two runs, threw out a runner at the plate and made a diving catch, but he wasn't seeking individual glory and he definitely wasn't looking for comparisons to Markakis.

"A team win. That's all I'm looking for," he said. "However we get it done. Whether it's me or the other 24 guys on this roster, it's going to be a long season and we're going to expect guys to step up every night, so when we get those opportunities it's nice to come through, but we've got a lot of baseball left.

"I think the atmosphere in this clubhouse is conducive to winning. Coming over from a winner to a winner, knowing the guys are going to be pulling for each other every night, that's what makes a winning ballclub. I'm excited to be a part of that, any way, any shape, any form. I look forward to picking these guys up the same way they're going to be picking me up all year."

Snider's second RBI was delayed while the Orioles challenged the call at the plate. Replays showed that Pearce slid under the tag despite the ball arriving ahead of him by an eternity.

"Tremendous play," Snider said. "I think Steve Pearce had everybody fooled in the entire stadium. I think I owe him a good steak now."

Pearce figured he had no chance as catcher Rene Rivera stood in front of the plate waiting for him.

"It was a long run and he had a really good pickoff move to first, so it was kind of hard to get a big secondary (lead) on that," Pearce said. "I didn't think I really had a good chance when I saw he caught the ball and I was nowhere near the plate."

Why slide instead of going in standing and surrendering?

"I've seen it happen before all the time," he said. "It's almost like everybody gets lazy on that play. You can either stay up and get tagged out - I tried the next best thing. It was pretty much just instinct."

Showalter is used to Pearce's hustle and grit. Nothing new today.

"I will say this, it's a testament to Steve," he said. "A lot of guys will just let him tag them standing up. That's not in Steve's makeup. If you look at everything he's come through in his career, he doesn't take anything for granted. Obviously, he was out by a good margin. It gave you a good idea that Snider couldn't do anything wrong today.

"We were fortunate. We were fortunate to have a player that finishes the play.

"Trav made two really good plays. I don't know what else you would ask a guy to do. He had a great first day. I know he feels good about it."

What about the pressure of replacing Markakis?

"I don't think Travis looks at it that way until someone reminds him of it," Showalter said. "We're not asking anybody to be Nelson Cruz or Nick Markakis or Andrew Miller and bring what they bring. Be themselves."

The Orioles played a crisp game - executing a rundown, throwing out runners on the bases, making good tags, turning a double play. They were the anti-Rays today.

"There's a lot of outs out there if you can stay alert and stay true to yourself and what we've talked about all year long," Showalter said. "We got fortunate on the one at second. I think it came off the hitter or the umpire."

Snider wasn't the only Oriole replacing Markakis. De Aza took over the leadoff spot and twice saw 10 pitches in an at-bat.

"Anything you can contribute for the team to win a game, it's important," he said. "Leadoff, I don't worry about the at-bat I'm going to get. I try to get as many pitches as I can from the pitcher so the guy behind me can see what the pitcher has."

Showalter is 5-0 on opening day with the Orioles.

"Thank god you didn't tell me before the game," he said, "or we would have gotten beat by 10-0."

The Orioles will wait until Tuesday to activate Chris Davis from the restricted list. They're trying to maintain their streak of making roster moves.