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Orioles top Rays, 5-2, for first 4-game series sweep at Tropicana Field: ‘It’s awesome’

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In July, the Orioles’ magical 2023 season picked up steam at Tropicana Field.

The Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays entered the series tied atop the American League East, and Baltimore won three of the four games to take a lead it wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the season.

When the Orioles took on Tampa Bay this weekend, it was the first time they’ve played at “The Trop” since. Those Orioles proved they were for real by besting the Rays. These Orioles simply proved this is their new reality by sweeping them in four games.

Baltimore on Monday defeated Tampa Bay, 5-2, to complete its first four-game sweep of the Rays at Tropicana Field since they became an MLB franchise in 1998. Superstar Gunnar Henderson smacked another leadoff homer and ace Corbin Burnes delivered another quality start to lead the Orioles to yet another impressive win.

“A four-game sweep is so difficult in the big leagues, and we’ve done that twice this year,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I think our guys are too young — maybe our older guys understand how hard that is — but our younger guys, they don’t really understand that this is not normal. You just don’t go on the road and [beat] a team four times, no matter what their record is. This is super hard to do in the major leagues.”

The four-game series win is only the Orioles’ third over the Rays in their home ballpark, joining the series in July and one in April 2006. The sweep — in which Baltimore outscored Tampa Bay 25-7 — is the Orioles’ first in 10 tries.

The thumping at “The Trop” only continued the Orioles’ dominance of the AL East this season. They are 17-6 against divisional foes and 6-1 versus Tampa Bay (31-35). The last time they lost a series to an AL East team was April 2023, a streak of 21 sets.

“I think it just speaks to the competitive spirit of our guys of not being satisfied with winning three out of four,” veteran designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn said. “Coming into tonight, wraparound series, we’re headed back tonight, not the most ideal conditions, but guys showed up and we competed our butts off and figured out a way to get the sweep. It’s awesome.”

Henderson’s leadoff long ball was the ninth of his nascent career and seventh this season. His 21 home runs rank second in MLB behind Yankees slugger Aaron Judge (24). The 22-year-old AL Most Valuable Player candidate went 3-for-5 and was a triple short of the cycle to improve his OPS to a team-best .974. James McCann smacked a solo homer in the third, and Ryan O’Hearn drove in three runs on two hits — a two-run double in the fifth and an RBI single in the seventh.

Burnes was his usual self Monday, delivering a Cy Young Award-worthy gem. The right-hander allowed two runs (zero earned) in seven innings with six strikeouts. He became the 11th hurler in Orioles history to pitch at least nine straight quality starts in a season. The most recent to do so was Erik Bedard in 2007. Jim Palmer, of course, holds the record with 12 in 1975.

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    Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes delivers to the Tampa...

    Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann (27) celebrates with on-deck batter Gunnar...

    Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann (27) celebrates with on-deck batter Gunnar Henderson (2) after McCann hit a solo home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases...

    Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    Baltimore Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn lines a two-run double off Tampa...

    Baltimore Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn lines a two-run double off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Catching for the Rays is Alex Jackson. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    Baltimore Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias throws out Tampa Bay...

    Baltimore Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias throws out Tampa Bay Rays’ Alex Jackson at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann (27) and Gunnar Henderson (2) celebrate...

    Baltimore Orioles’ James McCann (27) and Gunnar Henderson (2) celebrate after scoring on a two-run doube by Ryan O’Hearn off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde against the Tampa Bay Rays...

    Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson watches his single off Tampa Bay...

    Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson watches his single off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    James McCann #27 of the Baltimore Orioles points up after...

    James McCann #27 of the Baltimore Orioles points up after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    Baltimore Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn lines a two-run double off Tampa...

    Baltimore Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn lines a two-run double off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Catching for the Rays is Alex Jackson. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    James McCann #27 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases...

    James McCann #27 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases after hitting a home run off of Ryan Pepiot #44 of the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    José Caballero #7 of the Tampa Bay Rays steals second...

    José Caballero #7 of the Tampa Bay Rays steals second base from under Jordan Westburg #11 of the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    Corbin Burnes #39 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts following the...

    Corbin Burnes #39 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts following the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    Corbin Burnes #39 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch...

    Corbin Burnes #39 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch to the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    James McCann #27 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with third...

    James McCann #27 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with third base coach Tony Mansolino #36 after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles tracks the ball...

    Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles tracks the ball after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates...

    Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    Baltimore Orioles’ Corbin Burnes pitches to the Tampa Bay Rays...

    Baltimore Orioles’ Corbin Burnes pitches to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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    Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Jordan...

    Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Jordan Westburg #11 after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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    Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson bats against the Tampa Bay Rays...

    Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson bats against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, June 10, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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“A four-game sweep on the road, it’s impressive no matter who you beat,” said Burnes, a seven-year veteran in his first season with Baltimore. “This is a good team that has done a lot of winning in the past years. To come in and really do everything well — pitch great, play good defense, hit the ball well — it’s tough to beat us when we’re doing all those things well.”

Sinkerballer Yennier Cano and closer Craig Kimbrel slammed the door for the win. Kimbrel walked the leadoff batter but retired the next three for the 432nd save — fifth on MLB’s all-time list — of his stellar career.

Baltimore is 43-22 and 2 1/2 games back of the AL East-leading New York Yankees (47-21).

Hyde has mentioned recently that Henderson, despite his youthful exuberance, is showing signs of fatigue, although the shortstop has started all 65 games this season. It didn’t look like it when Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot piped a 95.6 mph fastball down the middle for the game’s first pitch and Henderson demolished it 430 feet to dead-center field for his longest big fly of the season.

“Gunnar’s exhausted,” Hyde said, “and to lead off the game with a homer just shows you what he’s made of.”

Henderson, the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, is slashing .274/.375/.599 — good for an impressive .974 OPS — in his sophomore campaign. The 2019 second-round pick is on pace to tally 137 runs, 172 hits, 10 triples, 52 home runs, 114 RBIs and 20 stolen bases — numbers that would make him a strong candidate to be the Orioles’ first AL MVP since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991.

The Orioles stumbled upon some adversity in the second inning when the Rays took a 2-1 lead — their first advantage of the weekend series that wrapped around to Monday night’s finale. With two outs, second baseman Jordan Westburg made an uncharacteristic blunder when he dropped a popup in shallow right field for his first error of the season. Alex Jackson, the Rays’ No. 9 hitter, made Westburg pay for his mistake with a homer off Burnes to center field, bringing home two unearned runs.

Burnes (7-2) and his bullpen didn’t let the Rays get close to scoring again, as the 29-year-old faced only 18 batters to record the next 16 outs and complete the seventh inning, his third straight outing doing so.

“I feel like I’ve thrown the ball well, but I think there’s still a lot of room to improve,” he said despite owning a sparkling 2.08 ERA that ranks fourth among qualified AL starters.

The Orioles acquired Burnes in the offseason from the Milwaukee Brewers, hoping he’d be the ace they needed atop their rotation. He’s been that and more as one of the most consistent starters in club history. Burnes has pitched at least five innings and allowed three or fewer runs in all 14 of his starts this season. The only other pitcher in Orioles history to go at least 14 consecutive starts with those numbers was Chris Tillman, who did so 20 straight times in 2014.

“To be able to rely on him almost every time out to do what he did tonight, it’s a nice luxury to have,” Hyde said.

McCann’s home run — his second of the season — tied the game. O’Hearn’s go-ahead hit came on the eighth pitch of his at-bat, while his tack-on knock was on the ninth pitch.

“He can really grind out an at-bat,” Hyde said. “He gets big hits for us constantly.”

About three weeks ago, the Orioles were swept by the St. Louis Cardinals, ending their AL-record sweepless streak. Since, they’ve gone 14-4 with two four-game sweeps on the road — the first was over the Chicago White Sox — with a run differential of plus-52, including a 6-2 road trip versus the Toronto Blue Jays and the Rays.

“I’m really proud of how our team’s played this year,” Hyde said, “but this road trip has been incredible.”

Around the horn

• Hyde said second baseman Jorge Mateo, who is on the 7-day injured list for concussion symptoms, will likely be back early in the Orioles’ upcoming homestand, potentially as early as Tuesday’s series opener versus the Atlanta Braves.

• The Orioles announced their rotation for the Braves series, and they remain in turn with their temporary six-man setup. Veteran Albert Suárez, youngster Cade Povich and left-hander Cole Irvin will start the three games in order. Will the Orioles stick with a six-man rotation? “I don’t know,” Hyde said. “Honestly, I think we’re taking it series to series right now. A lot of balls are in the air [like] when [Dean] Kremer’s coming back.” Kremer recently threw a bullpen session, Hyde said, and the club is waiting to see how he feels in the upcoming days before determining when he could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

• Austin Hays (back soreness/bruised ribs) and Kyle Stowers (wrist discomfort) are “day to day” after not playing Sunday or Monday. Hyde said he’s pleased with how his club has managed playing eight straight days on turf surfaces, which can be more difficult on players’ bodies than grass.


Braves at Orioles

Tuesday, 6:35 p.m.

TV: MASN

Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM

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Craig Kimbrel #46 and James McCann #27 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 at Tropicana Field on June 10, 2024 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Craig Kimbrel, celebrating the Orioles’ win Monday night with catcher James McCann, walked the leadoff batter but retired the next three for the 432nd save — fifth on MLB’s all-time list — of his stellar career. (Julio Aguilar/Getty)

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