Yandy Diaz had a standout performance with three hits and two RBIs, including a home run, helping the Tampa Bay Rays secure a 7-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Jose Siri made a crucial leaping catch to deny Gunnar Henderson a potential go-ahead home run, swinging the momentum in the Rays’ favor and dropping the Orioles from the AL East lead. Taylor Walls also contributed with a homer and two RBIs, evening the series between the two teams.

Jonny DeLuca and Logan Driscoll added to the Rays’ offensive efforts, with DeLuca collecting three hits and Driscoll driving in a run with a single in the seventh inning. Despite allowing nine baserunners, Ryan Pepiot limited the Orioles to just one run over 5 1/3 innings, earning his eighth win of the season.

On the other side, Zach Eflin, facing his former team for the second time since being traded to the Orioles, surrendered three runs over 5 2/3 innings. Cedric Mullins’ home run in the sixth inning narrowed the gap to 3-1, but the Rays extended their lead late in the game. Diaz’s 14th homer, which was also his fifth leadoff homer of the season, set the tone early, while Walls’ solo shot in the third inning added to the Rays’ offensive display.

In a tense moment during the game, Jose Siri made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall to rob Gunnar Henderson of a potential home run, showcasing the Rays’ defensive prowess and shifting the momentum in their favor. The Orioles saw their chances thwarted as Henderson’s hit was turned into an out.

In terms of injuries, the Rays were without 2B Brandon Lowe for the second consecutive day due to a swollen middle finger on his right hand. However, Lowe expressed optimism about his recovery process, undergoing multiple treatments daily to aid his return to normalcy. Additionally, Logan Driscoll left the game with a left thigh bruise after a tumbling catch, following an earlier collision with a railing in the Rays dugout.

Looking ahead, Orioles ace Corbin Burnes is set to face Rays RHP Zack Littell in the next game, with Burnes boasting a 13-7 record and a 3.19 ERA, while Littell, returning from the injured list, holds a 5-9 record with a 4.04 ERA.