The Baltimore Orioles lost 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays on July 20, 2025, after a disastrous 8th inning. A costly error by Ryan O’Hearn sealed the O's fate.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a story Orioles fans have seen too many times this season. A brilliant starting pitching performance, a late lead, and then... the collapse. Saturday night was another painful chapter in that book, as a disastrous eighth inning, punctuated by a costly error, flipped a 2-1 lead into a gut-wrenching 4-3 loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays.
One out, two hits, three runs, one walk. The final line for reliever Seranthony Domínguez tells the story of the eighth inning that cost the Orioles the game.
The Orioles entered the eighth with a one-run lead and a sense of cautious optimism after Dean Kremer's gem. But that optimism evaporated quickly. Reliever Seranthony Domínguez struggled with command, issuing a walk and then a game-tying RBI single to Chandler Simpson. The real back-breaker came moments later. With runners on, a ground ball put the pressure on the defense, and a critical throwing error by first baseman Ryan O’Hearn allowed the go-ahead run to score, completely changing the complexion of the game. Before the dust settled, the Rays had plated three runs (two unearned) and seized a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
The most frustrating part of the loss was watching a masterful performance from Dean Kremer go for naught. The right-hander was in complete control for seven innings, baffling Rays hitters with a sharp mix of pitches. He allowed just one earned run on three hits, issued zero walks, and struck out six. It was the kind of ace-like performance that should anchor a victory, but the bullpen couldn't hold up its end of the bargain, leaving Kremer with nothing to show for his brilliant effort.
Despite the painful result, there were a few positive takeaways. The offense managed to outhit the Rays 11-5, though they struggled to cash in, leaving too many runners on base. Cedric Mullins continued to be a sparkplug, delivering a clutch RBI single in the ninth to bring the O's within one and immediately stealing his 14th base of the season to put the tying run in scoring position. It wasn't enough, but Mullins' late-game heroics showed the fight this team still has, even when the odds are stacked against them.
The Orioles have to have a short memory as they face a crucial series finale on Sunday. The good news? They're sending one of their best arms to the mound in lefty Trevor Rogers (2-1, 1.53 ERA), who has been a revelation. He'll face the Rays' Ryan Pepiot in a bid to salvage a win and stop the bleeding. While the front office continues to build for the future by signing minor league free agents like Wehiwa Aloy, JT Quinn, and Joseph Dzierwa, the focus for Sunday is simple: find a way to win and put these late-inning nightmares in the rearview mirror.
