Jonny DeLuca homers to carry Rays past Orioles 2-0

BALTIMORE (AP) - Zack Littell and four relievers combined on a five-hit shutout, Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 on Sunday.

Littell and Corbin Burnes were locked in a scoreless duel until the sixth inning, when DeLuca followed a leadoff walk with his sixth home run in 289 at-bats this season, a drive to left on a 1-1 pitch.

That was enough to outdo a struggling Baltimore offense that scored only three runs in the three-game series.

Tampa Bay took two of three from the Orioles, who are chasing the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East. It’s the Rays’ first series win on the road since early August and the first time they won a series in Baltimore since Aug. 27-29, 2021.

Littell (6-9) was lifted after issuing a leadoff walk in the sixth. The right-hander gave up three hits and permitted only two runners past first base.

Edwin Uceta struck out Eloy Jiménez and Anthony Santander with two runners on in the eighth, then worked the ninth to earn his second save.

Burnes (13-8) allowed two runs and seven hits over six innings. The 2024 AL All-Star starter is 1-4 in his last five starts.

Burnes allowed three stolen bases, including a double-steal, to up his total this season to a major league high 41 - most in Orioles history.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rays: LH Jeffrey Springs (left elbow fatigue) was placed on the 15-day IL. Springs made seven starts after being sidelined from March to the end of July while recovering from Tommy John surgery. "It’s probably fatigue from coming back and missing some time,” manager Kevin Cash said. “Will he come back this year? I feel it's unlikely.” … 2B Brandon Lowe (finger) missed a third straight game. … Leadoff hitter Yandy Díaz got the day off. "We’re going to be managing the workload on his knee," Cash said.

Orioles: RH Jacob Webb (elbow) is slated for a rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. RH Danny Coulombe (elbow) begins a rehab assignment with Norfolk on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Rays: Tampa Bay continues its 10-game road trip in Philadelphia on Monday night.

Orioles: Rookie Chad Povich (2-7, 5.76 ERA) starts against Boston at Fenway Park on Monday night.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb