Orioles gaining confidence in chase of AL East-leading Rays

The Baltimore Orioles see the Tampa Bay Rays at the top of the American League East standings and know there's work to do, but there's confidence brewing for the Orioles.

They'll go into Tuesday night's meeting with the visiting Rays on a big-time high.

"It feels like the AL is kind of a toss-up right now," Baltimore outfielder Colton Cowser said. "All we can really do is control what we can control and keep playing fundamental baseball."

Cowser has provided game-ending home runs for the Orioles on back-to-back days, with his three-run shot securing Monday's 9-7, 13-inning victory.

The Orioles scored seven of their runs from the 11th through 13th innings to pick up their first triumph in four meetings with the Rays this year.

"Definitely uplifting in the sense of, we kept on getting punched and we didn't waver," Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. "We kept on having great at-bats. It's tough when the visiting team, I wouldn't say has the advantage, but they put up two and now we're chasing, or they put up one."

Cowser has seen his batting average climb to .200 after a miserable start to the season.

"He had a couple tough stretches, but he stuck with his process, stuck with the work, and now we get to see that come to fruition right now," Albernaz said. "His at-bats have been better as of late, but outstanding right now."

The Orioles have lost six of their last 10 games, but Cowser has provided a couple of thrills. He ended Sunday's doubleheader opener vs. the Detroit Tigers with a three-run homer.

The Rays swept Baltimore in three games at home last week, but they were sloppy on Monday while committing four errors.

Yet Tampa Bay players had special moments in the series opener.

Center fielder Cedric Mullins, who played eight seasons for Baltimore before last summer's trade to the New York Mets, was honored with a video tribute and had a go-ahead single in the top of the 13th inning. Right fielder Victor Mesa Jr., in his first big-league game of the season, smashed a two-run homer in the 11th.

"He had some really good swings throughout the day, barreled a lot of balls," Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Mesa.

On Tuesday, Orioles right-hander Shane Baz (1-5, 4.87 ERA) takes a second shot against his former team after holding the Rays to one run and two hits across six innings last Wednesday. He was in line to pick up the victory until Tampa Bay rallied, so Baltimore is 0-4 in games started by Baz this month.

The Rays are using right-hander Griffin Jax (1-2, 3.54 ERA) in a starter's role for the sixth time in 16 total appearances this year. He lasted five innings last Tuesday against Baltimore, giving up one run on three hits in a no-decision. Jax has faced the Orioles 11 times in his career, posting a 1-1 record and 1.80 ERA covering 15 innings in those matchups.

Orioles infielder Coby Mayo hasn't played since Saturday because of back tightness.

"It seems like it's manageable, but day-to-day, not too sure," Albernaz said. "It all depends on how he responds."

--Field Level Media

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 2:40 AM.