Rays, Orioles Split Series With 22-8, 11-3 Wins

The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays split a dramatic two-game series, showcasing contrasting performances. On Friday, the Orioles exploded offensively, scoring 22 runs in a dominant 22-8 victory, their highest run total since 2000, powered by multiple home runs and aggressive hitting that overwhelmed the Rays' pitching staff. The following day, the Rays responded emphatically with an 11-3 win, marked by an early offensive surge including a towering 467-foot home run by Jonathan Aranda and strong pitching from Zach Littell, who held the Orioles to one run over seven innings. The Rays improved to 47-36 and moved within half a game of the AL East-leading Yankees, highlighting their resilience after the heavy loss. Orioles' offense, led by players like Ramón Laureano, Colton Cowser, and Gary Sánchez, demonstrated significant firepower in the first game, while the Rays' balanced attack and timely hitting secured their comeback win. This series underscored the competitive intensity in the AL East and the ability of both teams to bounce back quickly from setbacks.