Orioles 9, Rays 3
J.J. Hardy belted his third career grand slam and Nick Markakis had three hits, including a solo home run, as the visiting Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 9-3 Sunday afternoon.
Hardy’s blast came off Cesar Ramos in the sixth inning after Rob Delaney had loaded the bases with three straight walks. Markakis hit his homer in the fifth for a 4-2 lead. Vladimir Guerrero added a pair of doubles for the Orioles (19-20), who have won five of six.
Jake Arrieta (5-1) went six innings, giving up four hits and two runs for the victory.
Elliot Johnson had two hits, including his first major league home run to lead off the third for the Rays (23-17). Tampa Bay crept within 3-2 on Casey Kotchman’s RBI single in the fourth.
Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine (0-1) went five innings, allowing eight hits and four runs.
Matt Wieters (three hits) gave the Orioles the lead for good with a two-out, RBI single in the second inning. Wieters improved to 13-for-23 with 20 RBIs while hitting with runners in scoring position. Derrek Lee added a two-run single in the third for a 3-0 lead.