The Orioles beat the Rays 5-3 on July 21, 2025, to snap a 4-game skid. Jackson Holliday homered and Félix Bautista escaped a 9th-inning jam for the save.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Finally, a reason to exhale. The Baltimore Orioles snapped their frustrating four-game losing streak on Sunday, using a barrage of home runs and a gutsy pitching performance to take down the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 in a bizarre, rain-soaked contest. It was a much-needed shot of adrenaline for a team desperate to get back on track.
Jackson Holliday set the tone with a 373-foot leadoff homer, his 13th of the season, on the second pitch of the game.
It didn't take long for the O's to announce their intentions. Jackson Holliday ambushed the second pitch he saw for a leadoff home run, setting an immediate, aggressive tone. The Orioles then broke the game open in the third inning, first with Alex Jackson's first homer of the year, followed by a clutch two-run single from Gunnar Henderson. Ryan O’Hearn added his 12th homer of the season in the sixth for good measure. On the mound, Trevor Rogers was solid, navigating six innings for his third win. The real drama came in the ninth, when Félix Bautista loaded the bases before slamming the door with a massive strikeout of Junior Caminero to lock down his 19th save. The win came despite a wild third inning that saw both Ramón Laureano and interim manager Tony Mansolino ejected, and a historic 2-hour, 36-minute rain delay.
There's no time to rest on the laurels of one victory. The Orioles immediately pack their bags and head to Cleveland for a crucial four-game series against the Guardians, starting Monday night. Japanese veteran Tomoyuki Sugano (7–5, 4.44 ERA) gets the ball in the opener, tasked with building on Sunday's momentum. As a team, the O's are still looking to find consistency at the plate, entering the series hitting just .238. This series against a tough divisional opponent is a prime opportunity to prove that Sunday's power display was more than just a flash in the pan.
While the big league club battles in Cleveland, help appears to be on the way. Lefty reliever Keegan Akin, out since early July with shoulder inflammation, is scheduled to begin a rehab outing in the FCL on Monday. A successful outing could see him in Triple-A Norfolk soon, eyeing a return in late July or early August. More good news comes from the long-term injury front, as right-hander Corbin Martin—whom the team just signed to a 2025 contract—progressed to facing live batters. Albert Suárez isn't far behind, continuing his bullpen work. These developments, along with the recent waiver claim of pitcher Elvin Rodriguez, show the front office is actively working to shore up the pitching depth for the stretch run.
One win doesn't erase a tough stretch, but it's a massive step in the right direction. The power is clearly still in these bats, and with potential pitching reinforcements on the horizon, this four-game set in Cleveland feels like a pivotal moment. The Orioles needed a spark, and they got one. Now it's time to see if they can turn it into a fire.
