Wilkerson HR carries Orioles past Rays 2-1 in 1st game

BALTIMORE (AP) — Stevie Wilkerson hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning to back a surprisingly effective performance by Baltimore’s pitching staff, and the Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 Saturday in the opener of a split doubleheader.

One night after surrendering 16 runs to the Rays, Baltimore permitted only three hits — all in the third inning. The Orioles came in with a major league-high 5.69 ERA and the worst record in the big leagues.

Picked up on waivers from Oakland on July 6, Aaron Brooks started for Baltimore and was followed by Jimmy Yacabonis with two outs in the third. Shawn Armstrong started the sixth and Richard Bleier (1-0) worked the seventh before issuing a leadoff walk in the eighth.

Mychal Givens came in and did not allow a base runner in securing his seventh save.

After Mike Zunino greeted Yacabonis with a homer in the third, the Rays held the lead until Anthony Santander singled to open the seventh and Wilkerson connected on a 2-2 pitch from Colin Poche (2-2).

Added from Triple-A Durham as the 26th man for the doubleheader, Tampa Bay starter Brendan McKay allowed three singles over five shutout innings and struck out seven. It was the third career start for the lefty, the second in which he did not give up allow a run.

Drafted fourth overall in the 2017 draft, McKay faced the Orioles earlier this month — as a batter. Two days after making his big league debut on the mound against Texas on June 29, the 23-year-old two-way player went 0 for 4 versus Baltimore as the designated hitter.

McKay fared much better against the Orioles on the mound. He retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced, then gave up two straight singles to open the fifth before working out of trouble.

DOUBLE PLAY

This is the 30th doubleheader in Rays history, the third this season. Tampa Bay swept only four of its previous 29 doubleheaders and was swept 12 times. The Rays and Orioles have now played seven doubleheaders at Camden Yards. This one was created after a May 5 rainout.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rays: 1B Ji-Man Choi (ankle) was reinstated from the injured list after the minimum 10-day stay. RHP Ian Gibaut was optioned to Triple-A Durham. … Reliever Chaz Roe (flexor strain) has been shut down from baseball activities. The team hopes to learn the extent of the problem after it returns home on July 19. … 2B Brandon Lowe (bruised shin) is still walking with a limp. “He’s going to be (sidelined) a little bit,” manager Kevin Cash said. … Matt Duffy (hamstring), who had a hit and three RBIs for Durham on Friday, “looks good and his timing is there,” Cash said, adding that the infielder will play several more games in the minors before being re-evaluated. … INF Daniel Robertson (knee) is recovering nicely from arthroscopic surgery and could begin a rehab assignment in the next week or so.

Orioles: RHP Dylan Bundy was placed on the 10-day IL with tendinitis in his right knee. Bundy (4-11, 5.28 ERA) gave up seven runs in the first inning of a 16-4 loss on Friday night before being pulled. “He’s had it before,” manager Brandon Hyde said of the injury. … RHP Nate Karns (forearm strain) gave up three runs in 2/3 innings of a rehab start with Class A Frederick on Friday night. “The velo is up, he feels good physically, the results just weren’t there for him,” Hyde said.

UP NEXT

Tampa Bay’s Charlie Morton (10-2, 2.32) was slated to go against John Means (7-4, 2.50) in the nightcap.