Chris Davis homered on a 3-0 pitch from Matt Andriese leading off the 11th inning, and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-6 to snap a six-game losing streak. Davis’ heroics were set up by Jonathan Schoop’s two-run homer off Brad Boxberger in the ninth inning tied the score at 6-6. It was Boxberger’s fifth blown save of the year.
“You want a sweep when you can, especially in our situation,” said Boxberger, who took his fifth blown save of the season. “For me, not being able to hold that kind of lead is not expected. So, it’s just one of those where it’s tough.”
“Needless to say, that’s a tough one,” echoed Rays manager Kevin Cash. “We got what we needed to win offensively,” Cash said. “We’ve got to get it done on the pitching side.”
The loss knocks the Rays back a game under .500 at 66-67 a full 10 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East and four games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final wild card spot in the American League.
Evan Longoria led the Rays offensively hitting two home runs and J.P. Arencibia had a solo shot for the Rays, who are now 2-11 in extra innings.
The Rays will take Thursday off before starting a three game set in New York against the Yankees.