Orioles 4, Rays 3
Orioles 4, Rays 3: Nick Johnson’s first home run in more than two years lifted Baltimore into sole possession of the American League East lead.
Johnson, who began this year mired in an 0-for-26 slump and came into the night batting .122, greeted reliever Joel Peralta (0-2) with a two-out, two-run homer to right field in the seventh inning, giving the Orioles their first lead of the night.
Baltimore closer Jim Johnson retired three straight in the ninth to save the win for Darren O’Day (3-0), who pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Pedro Strop held the lead with a perfect eighth.
Tampa Bay, which entered the evening tied with the Orioles atop the division, took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the fourth inning, scoring once on an RBI single by Elliot Johnson and again when Carlos Peña was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Baltimore got solo home runs from Adam Jones leading off the second inning and Nick Markakis with two out in the sixth.
Tampa Bay starter Jeremy Hellickson, who departed just before Johnson’s decisive blast, was charged with three runs while allowing five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked one.
Dana Eveland also allowed three runs on five hits in his six innings of work for the Orioles, working around six walks.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Johnson’s last home run came on May 5, 2010 against his current team, a solo shot while he was playing with the New York Yankees. ... The Orioles lead the major leagues with 53 homers. ... The six walks were the most handed out by Eveland since 2008.