Jonathan Schoop hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles came back from an early deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Friday night.
Schoop got his 15th homer leading off the inning against Chris Archer (4-13), who leads the majors in losses. Schoop is 5 for 13 with two homers in his career against the Rays' opening day starter.
Mychal Givens (7-1) worked a scoreless seventh for the win one day after his daughter was born. Pedro Alvarez homered and had two RBIs for the Orioles.
Brad Miller had a one-out double in the ninth off Zach Britton and went to third on a wild pitch. After Evan Longoria was intentionally walked, Britton struck out Logan Morrison and Steven Souza Jr. to earn his 28th save in as many chances.
Archer gave up four runs and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings as Tampa Bay lost for the 23rd time in 26 games.
After Souza's bases-loaded RBI grounder in the first, Tampa Bay went up 2-0 on Logan Forsythe's run-scoring single in the second. Eleven of the Rays' 19 batters through three innings against Yovani Gallardo reached base.
Luke Maile, recalled from Triple-A Durham, made it 3-1 with a third-inning RBI single.
Alvarez hit his 10th homer in the third and added an RBI double two innings later that got Baltimore within a run at 3-2. Baltimore tied it at 3 in the sixth on Matt Wieters' RBI grounder.
Gallardo allowed three runs, eight hits and walked four over five innings.
MOVING DAY
Orioles: LHP Donnie Hart had his contract purchased from Double-A Bowie.
Rays: CF Kevin Kiermaier (broken left hand) was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after missing almost two months. "It's like another opening day for me," said Kiermaier, who went 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. ... RHP Kevin Jepsen, released by Minnesota after going 2-5 with a 6.16 ERA in 33 games, was signed to a one-year contract. Jepsen thinks he has corrected a mechanical flaw that had him "getting hit at an incredible pace." ... RHPs Ryan Garton and Tyler Sturdevant were optioned to Durham.
COBB'S CONDITION
Rays RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) will have a bullpen session Sunday instead of making his third rehab start for Class A Charlotte. Manager Kevin Cash said Cobb, who lasted just a combined 1 2/3 through two starts, is working on mechanics that "have been a little bit out of whack."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: Manager Buck Showalter said Wieters and Britton are both OK after getting food poisoning during their All-Star Game trip. ... OF Hyun Soo Kim (right hamstring) may not start this weekend. ... RHP Darren O'Day (right hamstring) could be ready for a rehab or simulated game next week.
Rays: INF Steve Pearce (right hamstring) has joined Charlotte for a rehab assignment.
UP NEXT
Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (12-2) will face Rays LHP Matt Moore (5-6) Saturday night.
