Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles Match Player Stats
The tampa bay rays vs baltimore orioles match player stats from the Rays’ 7-6 victory over the Orioles provide a detailed picture of a game decided by timely hitting, home runs, bullpen execution, and a dramatic seventh-inning comeback. The game was played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the Rays rallied from a two-run deficit to avoid a four-game sweep. MLB’s official game record lists the contest as August 17, 2026, although several reports were published on August 18. (MLB.com)
The final score was Tampa Bay Rays 7, Baltimore Orioles 6. Baltimore collected more hits, finishing with 14 compared with Tampa Bay’s 12, but the Rays converted their opportunities more effectively late in the game. Both teams hit three home runs, yet Tampa Bay’s seventh-inning rally ultimately determined the result.
This was not a simple case of one team dominating the box score. Baltimore produced 14 hits and six runs, while Tampa Bay scored seven runs from 12 hits. The difference came from when those hits arrived, how the bullpens handled pressure, and Tampa Bay’s ability to turn a three-run seventh inning into the winning margin.
Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The game featured a high level of offensive production from both lineups. Baltimore finished with 14 hits, six runs, three home runs and six RBIs. Tampa Bay recorded 12 hits, seven runs, three home runs and seven RBIs.
| Category | Orioles | Rays |
| Runs | 6 | 7 |
| Hits | 14 | 12 |
| Errors | 1 | 0 |
| Home Runs | 3 | 3 |
| Walks | 1 | 3 |
| Strikeouts | 10 | 8 |
| Left on Base | 10 | 7 |
| Runners in Scoring Position | 3-for-12 | 3-for-13 |
| Team Batting Average | .341 | .353 |
| Team OBP | .372 | .421 |
| Team SLG | .610 | .647 |
The numbers show why the final score was so close.
Baltimore actually had the advantage in total hits. However, Tampa Bay generated more walks, reached base at a higher overall rate, and finished with the higher slugging percentage. The Rays also committed no errors, while Baltimore was charged with one.
The most important statistical lesson is that total hits do not automatically determine the winner. Tampa Bay’s 12 hits produced seven runs, while Baltimore’s 14 hits produced six.
That difference is particularly important when analyzing a one-run game.
MLB’s official game story confirms the final 7-6 result, the three Tampa Bay home runs, Baltimore’s three home runs, and the seventh-inning rally that put the Rays ahead. (MLB.com)
How the Game Developed Inning by Inning
The scoring pattern explains the contest better than the final score alone.
Baltimore opened the scoring in the second inning when Coby Mayo launched a home run. The Orioles then extended their advantage in the fourth inning, but Tampa Bay answered with three runs of its own.
The fifth inning swung momentum back toward Baltimore.
By the end of the sixth inning, the Orioles held a 6-4 advantage. That put Tampa Bay in a difficult position because the Rays had already used several pitchers and needed to find a way to generate offense against a Baltimore bullpen that had protected the lead.
The seventh inning became the decisive frame.
Jonathan Aranda drove in a run to cut the Orioles’ lead to 6-5. Tampa Bay then loaded the bases, creating the type of high-leverage situation that can completely change a baseball game.
Jonny DeLuca followed with a two-run single, giving Tampa Bay a 7-6 lead.
MLB’s video record lists DeLuca’s hit as the go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the seventh. The recorded play also shows an exit velocity of 106.4 mph. (MLB.com)
The Rays did not score again, but their pitching staff protected the one-run advantage.
That made the seventh inning the statistical and strategic center of the game.
Orioles Offensive Performance
Baltimore’s offense was productive throughout the game, and the 14-hit total demonstrates how consistently the lineup put the ball in play.
The Orioles hit three home runs and produced six RBIs. Their biggest individual run-producing performance came from Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who finished with four RBIs.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand
Encarnacion-Strand was the most important run producer in Baltimore’s lineup.
He contributed four RBIs and hit a two-run homer that gave the Orioles a 6-4 lead. His earlier two-run single also helped Baltimore build its advantage.
That means four of Baltimore’s six runs were directly connected to one hitter.
From a box-score perspective, this is one of the clearest individual takeaways from the game. Encarnacion-Strand did not merely collect hits. He delivered in situations where runners were available to score.
Coby Mayo
Coby Mayo supplied Baltimore’s first home run of the game.
The homer was particularly notable because MLB recorded its distance at 468 feet, making it one of the longest home runs hit during the 2026 season at that point. (MLB.com)
Mayo’s home run gave Baltimore an early lead and immediately demonstrated the power available in the Orioles lineup.
His performance also illustrates why a box score should be read together with game context. A home run in the second inning and a home run in a late tie game can both count as one run on the basic scoring line, but their game situations are very different.
Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso added another Baltimore home run in the fifth inning.
His solo shot tied the game at 4-4 and continued what had been a productive series for him against Tampa Bay. MLB’s game story noted that Alonso had reached base 11 times during the four-game series against the Rays. (MLB.com)
The homer was important because it stopped Tampa Bay’s momentum after the Rays had taken the lead in the fourth inning.
Baltimore’s Offensive Efficiency
Baltimore finished 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
That figure is important because the Orioles had plenty of opportunities. They collected 14 hits but left 10 runners on base.
The combination of 14 hits and 10 runners left on base tells a more complicated story than simply saying Baltimore had a strong offensive game.
The Orioles reached base frequently, but not all of those opportunities became runs.
Their three home runs helped compensate for some of that inefficiency, but Tampa Bay ultimately created the extra run it needed.
Rays Offensive Performance
Tampa Bay’s offensive line was slightly more efficient despite producing two fewer hits.
The Rays scored seven runs from 12 hits and hit three home runs. They also drew three walks, giving them four more total free bases than Baltimore.
That contributed to a .421 team on-base percentage and a .647 slugging percentage in the supplied team data.
Yandy Díaz
Yandy Díaz opened Tampa Bay’s home-run production with a solo shot in the third inning.
The homer tied the game at 1-1 and gave the Rays an immediate response after Baltimore had taken the early lead.
Díaz’s home run was his 18th of the season according to the game record. (MLB.com)
His contribution was important because Tampa Bay repeatedly answered Baltimore’s scoring bursts rather than allowing the Orioles to control the game.
Ryan Vilade
Ryan Vilade added a solo home run in the fourth inning.
That home run brought Tampa Bay within one run after Baltimore had taken a 3-1 lead.
Vilade’s homer was his 11th of the season, according to MLB’s official game story. (MLB.com)
The timing mattered. Tampa Bay was able to keep Baltimore from turning its early advantage into a larger gap.
Jorge Mateo
Jorge Mateo produced one of Tampa Bay’s most important offensive moments before the seventh inning.
His two-run home run in the fourth inning gave the Rays a 4-3 lead.
MLB identified it as Mateo’s first home run for Tampa Bay. (MLB.com)
The home run was particularly interesting because it came against his former team. More importantly from a baseball standpoint, it represented a direct conversion of an opportunity into two runs and briefly put Tampa Bay ahead.
Jonny DeLuca
DeLuca became the key offensive player in the game’s final outcome.
His two-run single in the seventh inning turned a 6-5 deficit into a 7-6 Rays lead.
Unlike the three Tampa Bay home runs, DeLuca’s hit came with the bases loaded and directly produced the go-ahead runs.
That distinction matters.
A home run is one of baseball’s most visible offensive events, but a bases-loaded single can have an equal or greater impact on a particular game because of the number of runners already on base.
MLB’s official video record identifies DeLuca’s hit as the go-ahead single and confirms the 7-6 score change. (MLB.com)
Pitching Comparison
The pitching statistics show another reason this game became so close.
Orioles Pitching
Baltimore’s pitching staff allowed:
- 8.0 innings
- 12 hits
- 7 runs
- 7 earned runs
- 3 walks
- 8 strikeouts
- 3 home runs
Brandon Young started for Baltimore and worked four innings.
His line was:
- 4.0 IP
- 8 hits
- 4 earned runs
- 1 walk
- 3 strikeouts
- 3 home runs allowed
The biggest issue was the long ball.
Young allowed all three Tampa Bay home runs credited to the Rays’ offense during the game. That meant a significant portion of Tampa Bay’s scoring damage came through a small number of high-impact swings.
The Rays did not need a huge number of hits to score seven runs because their home runs produced several of those runs immediately.
Yennier Cano
Yennier Cano was charged with the loss.
His appearance lasted only one-third of an inning in the supplied data, and the official MLB record lists him as the losing pitcher with a 2-3 record. (MLB.com)
The seventh inning was the critical issue.
Cano entered with Baltimore holding a 6-4 lead. Tampa Bay cut the deficit to one run, then created a bases-loaded situation before DeLuca delivered the go-ahead single.
This is an example of why pitcher win-loss records alone can be misleading when evaluating a single appearance.
Cano’s loss was not simply the result of allowing one isolated hit. The inning involved multiple baserunners and escalating pressure before Tampa Bay took the lead.
Tampa Bay Pitching
The Rays used nine innings of pitching and allowed:
- 14 hits
- 6 runs
- 6 earned runs
- 1 walk
- 10 strikeouts
- 3 home runs
Tampa Bay’s pitching staff gave up more hits than its opponent but still won.
That is unusual enough to deserve attention.
The Rays allowed Baltimore to reach base frequently, but they limited the damage sufficiently to keep the game within one run when their offense rallied.
Shane McClanahan
Shane McClanahan started for Tampa Bay.
His line was:
- 3.1 innings
- 4 hits
- 3 earned runs
- 0 walks
- 3 strikeouts
- 1 home run allowed
The absence of a walk is notable.
McClanahan did not issue a free pass in his appearance, but Baltimore still scored three runs against him. That demonstrates how much damage can be created through hits and extra-base power without relying on walks.
Cam Booser
Cam Booser earned the win.
His line was:
- 1.1 innings
- 2 hits
- 0 earned runs
- 1 walk
- 3 strikeouts
The official MLB game record confirms Booser as the winning pitcher at 1-0. (MLB.com)
His ability to prevent Baltimore from extending its lead helped give Tampa Bay’s offense time to respond.
Bryan Baker
Bryan Baker recorded the save.
He pitched 1.2 innings, allowed one hit, gave up no earned runs, and struck out two.
The save was Baker’s 35th of the season, according to MLB’s official game record. (MLB.com)
His performance was particularly important because Tampa Bay was protecting only a one-run lead.
The ninth inning therefore carried substantial pressure. Baker completed the job without surrendering the tying run.
The Seventh Inning Changed Everything
If someone wants to understand the entire game quickly, the seventh inning is the place to start.
Baltimore entered the inning with a 6-4 lead.
Tampa Bay then scored three runs.
The first came on Jonathan Aranda’s RBI single.
After Tampa Bay created a bases-loaded situation, Jonny DeLuca delivered the decisive two-run single.
The sequence transformed the game from a two-run Baltimore advantage into a one-run Tampa Bay lead.
MLB’s official game story records the progression as Baltimore 6, Tampa Bay 4 entering the bottom of the seventh, followed by Aranda’s RBI single making it 6-5 and DeLuca’s single putting Tampa Bay ahead 7-6. (MLB.com)
This sequence also shows why late-inning scoring opportunities are so valuable.
The Rays did not need to dominate the entire game. They needed to create one high-leverage inning and capitalize on it.
They did exactly that.
Why the Hit Advantage Did Not Matter
One of the most interesting parts of these tampa bay rays vs baltimore orioles match player stats is that Baltimore had more hits but still lost.
The Orioles recorded 14 hits.
The Rays recorded 12.
At first glance, that may suggest Baltimore had the better offensive night.
But runs are the objective, not hits.
Tampa Bay’s 12 hits generated seven runs, while Baltimore’s 14 hits produced six.
Several factors explain the difference.
Extra-Base Power
Both teams hit three home runs, so neither side had a clear home-run advantage.
However, the Rays combined their power with three walks and fewer strikeouts.
Base Runner Conversion
Baltimore left 10 runners on base.
Tampa Bay left seven.
That three-runner difference does not directly translate into three runs, but it shows that Baltimore had more unused opportunities.
Timing
The Rays’ biggest offensive moment occurred in the seventh inning when the game was close and the pressure was highest.
Baltimore’s biggest scoring bursts came earlier.
The Orioles had already established a 6-4 lead, but Tampa Bay’s response came at the most consequential point of the game.
RISP Numbers Tell an Important Story
Both teams went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position for Baltimore and 3-for-13 for Tampa Bay.
At first glance, those numbers are almost identical.
That makes the final result even more interesting.
Neither team was particularly dominant with runners in scoring position based purely on batting average in those situations.
Instead, the game was decided by the broader sequence of baserunning, home runs, walks, defensive execution and the timing of individual hits.
Tampa Bay’s winning hit came in a situation where the bases were loaded, giving DeLuca the chance to drive in two runs with one swing.
That single was more valuable to the final result than the overall RISP percentage suggests.
Defensive Performance
Baltimore committed one error.
Tampa Bay committed none.
The Orioles’ error was charged to Christian Encarnacion-Strand on a throwing play.
The Rays also turned no double plays according to the supplied data, while Baltimore recorded a double play involving Gunnar Henderson and Coby Mayo.
The absence of a Tampa Bay error was significant in a one-run game.
Defensive mistakes do not always lead directly to runs, but they can extend innings and create additional opportunities for the opposing offense.
In this contest, Tampa Bay’s clean defensive line meant every Baltimore run had to be generated through an official offensive scoring event rather than through a Rays error.
Baserunning and Small Details
The game also included stolen-base activity.
Cedric Franklin stole second for Baltimore, while Richie Palacios stole a base for Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay was also charged with a caught stealing involving Chandler Simpson.
These plays did not decide the game on their own, but they demonstrate how many different ways teams can create or lose opportunities.
A baseball game is not only about batting average and home runs. A stolen base can move a runner into scoring position, while a caught stealing can erase an inning’s potential.
That is why a full box-score analysis should include baserunning rather than focusing only on the biggest hitters.
Series Context
The Rays avoided a sweep with the 7-6 victory.
The four-game series ended:
- Orioles 6, Rays 5
- Orioles 4, Rays 3 in 10 innings
- Orioles 10, Rays 2
- Rays 7, Orioles 6
Baltimore therefore won the series 3-1 despite Tampa Bay taking the finale.
That context is important.
A single-game result should not be confused with the overall series result. The Rays prevented a sweep, but the Orioles still left Tropicana Field having won three of the four games.
The finale was therefore both a Tampa Bay comeback and a Baltimore series victory.
The Associated Press reported that the Rays entered the game trying to avoid a four-game sweep, while Baltimore had already won the first three games of the set. (WBAL Baltimore News)
What the Player Stats Reveal
The most useful way to interpret these numbers is to separate volume from impact.
Baltimore had the greater volume of hits.
Tampa Bay had the greater scoring output.
Baltimore had 14 hits, three home runs and six runs.
Tampa Bay had 12 hits, three home runs and seven runs.
The Rays also drew more walks and committed no errors.
This produces a useful picture of the game:
Baltimore generated more contact, while Tampa Bay converted its most important opportunities more effectively.
That does not mean Tampa Bay was superior in every statistical category. The Orioles clearly had advantages in total hits and produced several strong individual offensive performances.
The difference was that Tampa Bay’s scoring came at the moments that mattered most.
A Closer Look at the Home Runs
Both teams hit three home runs, making the long-ball battle even.
Orioles
- Coby Mayo: 16th home run
- Pete Alonso: 28th home run
- Christian Encarnacion-Strand: 6th home run
Rays
- Yandy Díaz: 18th home run
- Jorge Mateo: 5th home run
- Ryan Vilade: 11th home run
The Orioles’ home runs helped build a six-run total, while Tampa Bay’s home runs accounted for important stretches of its offensive response.
Mateo’s two-run homer was particularly influential because it gave Tampa Bay a temporary 4-3 lead in the fourth.
But the deciding runs did not come from a home run.
They came from DeLuca’s two-run single.
That is an important reminder that modern baseball analysis should not reduce offensive performance to home-run totals.
The Importance of Tampa Bay’s Three Walks
Tampa Bay drew three walks compared with just one for Baltimore.
The difference is small numerically, but meaningful in a game decided by one run.
A walk can:
- Extend an inning
- Move runners into scoring position
- Force a pitcher to work from the stretch
- Increase pitch count
- Create a bases-loaded situation
- Bring another hitter into a more favorable matchup
The seventh inning demonstrates why these seemingly small events matter.
Tampa Bay’s rally developed through a sequence of baserunners before DeLuca delivered the decisive hit.
The box score therefore rewards readers who look beyond batting average.
Why the Pitching Matchup Was Important
The starting pitchers had difficult assignments.
Brandon Young allowed eight hits and three home runs in four innings.
Shane McClanahan allowed four hits and one home run in 3.1 innings but still surrendered three earned runs.
Neither starter completed five innings.
That placed additional pressure on both bullpens.
Once the starters exited early, the game became a test of relief pitching and offensive depth.
Tampa Bay ultimately managed the late innings well enough to preserve a one-run victory.
Baltimore, meanwhile, could not protect its 6-4 advantage.
Attendance and Game Environment
The supplied game data lists attendance at 10,159 and the game time at 2 hours and 58 minutes.
Tropicana Field provided the setting for a game that featured six total home runs, 26 combined hits and 13 total runs.
The combination of offensive production and relatively short game time made this an efficient but eventful contest.
The home crowd also saw Tampa Bay prevent what would have been a four-game sweep.
A Note About the Date
There is an important date detail worth clarifying for anyone publishing this game information.
The supplied data identifies the date as August 18, 2026. However, MLB’s official game record lists the Orioles at Rays game as August 17, 2026. The AP report was published on August 18 and describes the Monday night game as the 7-6 Rays victory. (MLB.com)
For an accurate article, the clearest wording is:
The game was played on August 17, 2026, with major postgame coverage published on August 18, 2026.
That distinction matters for anyone comparing schedules, box scores, or player statistics by date.
For the authoritative game record and official highlights, readers can refer to MLB’s official Orioles at Rays game story.
Key Player Takeaways
Several players stand out when the complete box score is considered.
Orioles
Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Four RBIs and a home run made him Baltimore’s leading run producer.
Coby Mayo: His 468-foot home run provided an early offensive spark.
Pete Alonso: His 28th homer tied the game in the fifth inning and continued a productive series.
Brandon Young: Allowed eight hits and three home runs over four innings.
Yennier Cano: Took the loss after Tampa Bay’s seventh-inning rally.
Rays
Jonny DeLuca: His two-run seventh-inning single produced the winning runs.
Jorge Mateo: His two-run homer temporarily put Tampa Bay ahead in the fourth.
Yandy Díaz: His 18th homer started Tampa Bay’s home-run production.
Ryan Vilade: His 11th homer kept Tampa Bay within striking distance.
Cam Booser: Earned his first win of the season with 1.1 scoreless innings.
Bryan Baker: Recorded his 35th save after working 1.2 scoreless innings.
What Fans Should Take From the Box Score
The biggest lesson from this matchup is that a box score becomes much more informative when the numbers are connected to game situations.
Baltimore’s 14 hits demonstrate offensive consistency.
Tampa Bay’s 12 hits demonstrate that fewer hits can still produce more runs.
The three home runs on each side show that power was evenly distributed.
The walk difference shows that Tampa Bay created more free baserunners.
The left-on-base numbers show that Baltimore left more opportunities unused.
The pitching lines show that both teams relied heavily on their bullpens.
And the seventh inning shows how one high-leverage rally can determine a game that had been competitive for six innings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Orioles vs Rays game?
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 7-6 at Tropicana Field.
How many hits did the Orioles have?
The Orioles recorded 14 hits.
How many hits did the Rays have?
The Rays recorded 12 hits.
Who hit the winning hit for Tampa Bay?
Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run single in the seventh inning that gave Tampa Bay a 7-6 lead.
Who was the winning pitcher?
Cam Booser earned the win for Tampa Bay. His final line was 1.1 innings, two hits, no earned runs, one walk and three strikeouts. (MLB.com)
Who recorded the save?
Bryan Baker recorded the save, his 35th of the season. He pitched 1.2 innings and allowed one hit while striking out two. (MLB.com)
Conclusion
The tampa bay rays vs baltimore orioles match player stats show a game in which the Orioles produced more hits but the Rays produced the extra run that mattered.
Baltimore finished with 14 hits, three home runs and six runs. Christian Encarnacion-Strand led the Orioles with four RBIs, while Coby Mayo and Pete Alonso also provided home-run power.
Tampa Bay answered with 12 hits and three home runs of its own. Yandy Díaz, Ryan Vilade and Jorge Mateo supplied the long balls, but the decisive offensive contribution came from Jonny DeLuca. His two-run seventh-inning single turned a 6-5 deficit into a 7-6 lead.
The pitching statistics tell another part of the story. Neither starting pitcher reached five innings, forcing both teams to rely heavily on their relief corps. Cam Booser earned the win, while Bryan Baker secured his 35th save. Yennier Cano was charged with the loss after Tampa Bay’s decisive seventh-inning rally.
The final result also needs to be viewed in its proper series context. Tampa Bay avoided a four-game sweep, but Baltimore still won the series 3-1 after victories in the first three games.
For anyone studying this matchup through the player statistics, the central takeaway is straightforward: Baltimore generated more hits, while Tampa Bay converted its most important late-game opportunity. In a one-run baseball game, the timing of production can matter just as much as the amount of production.
