Rays 8, Orioles 4
Rays 8, Orioles 4: B.J. Upton doubled in a pair of runs and Matt Moore snapped a five-start winless streak with six strong innings as host Tampa Bay took the rubber game.
Matt Joyce and Carlos Peña each added a sacrifice fly for the Rays, who jumped back into sole possession of first place in the American League East.
Tampa Bay broke through in the fifth inning, taking the lead for good as Baltimore starter Jake Arrieta (2-7) lost the strike zone. The right-hander walked the bases loaded with two outs in front of Upton, who laced a 3-1 pitch down the third-base line. The ball glanced off Steve Tolleson’s glove and into left for a two-run double and a 4-2 lead.
Moore (2-5) allowed two runs — one earned — and seven hits while striking out four and walking three.
The Rays took advantage of the Orioles’ AL-worst team defense in the sixth inning for four more runs. Ben Zobrist scored on Matt Wieters’ throwing error and Sean Rodriguez added another run later in the frame on Tolleson’s throwing error.
Baltimore was charged with three miscues in the contest, bumping their league-leading total to 50.
Wieters and Mark Reynolds each hit solo homers and each recorded an RBI single for the Orioles, who have dropped seven of eight.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Arrieta allowed four runs on only two hits but walked four and threw a wild pitch. He has been charged with at least four earned runs in seven of his last nine outings … Rays LH Jake McGee threw a scoreless inning, running his streak to 11 straight scoreless appearances. He pitched in all three games of the series, allowing one hit … Steve Pearce, who was acquired on Saturday, made his debut for Baltimore on Sunday, going 1-for-4.