The Rays routed the Orioles 11-1 on July 19, 2025, powered by a Yandy Diaz grand slam. Get the full recap and an important injury update on Ryan Mountcastle.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There are tough losses, and then there's what happened on Saturday in St. Petersburg. The Baltimore Orioles were simply outmatched in every facet of the game, suffering a demoralizing 11-1 drubbing at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. From the first inning on, it was all Tampa, leaving Orioles fans searching for any silver lining on an otherwise dreary day for the club.
The Orioles' record fell to 43-53, a season-high 10 games below .500.
The game was essentially over before it began. The Rays jumped on starter Charlie Morton for three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Morton struggled with command and couldn't escape the early damage, ultimately taking the loss to see his record fall to 5-8. The Orioles' bats were silent, managing just five hits all night against Rays winner Taj Bradley and the bullpen. The biggest blows came from Yandy Diaz, who crushed a back-breaking grand slam in the sixth, and Junior Caminero, who homered twice. Baltimore's only run came in the ninth, long after the game was decided.
While the big league club sputtered, encouraging news emerged from the training staff. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, sidelined with a right hamstring strain, is progressing well and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on July 22. Even more significantly, RHP Kyle Bradish took a massive step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, throwing two innings of live batting practice. Meanwhile, LHP Cade Povich made his scheduled rehab start for Norfolk as he works his way back from hip inflammation. These developments suggest that significant reinforcements could be on the way.
The front office continues to tinker with the roster, officially announcing the signing of RHP Corbin Martin to a one-year Major League deal. Martin, who had recently been outrighted, provides some immediate pitching depth for a staff that could certainly use it. His signing, coupled with the progress of Povich on his rehab assignment, shows the organization is focused on bolstering its pitching from all angles as they navigate a difficult stretch of the season.
Saturday's game was a painful reminder of the team's current struggles, dropping them to 43-53. But while the on-field product was tough to watch, the news from the training room offers a crucial glimmer of hope. The Orioles will look to bounce back and avoid a sweep tomorrow, but the real story to watch in the coming weeks will be the return of key players like Mountcastle, Bradish, and Povich. Their successful rehab could be the spark this team desperately needs to find its footing.
