Orioles beat the Rays in extra innings, but both celebrate twice

Baltimore— With the division title yet to be defined, there was no certainty that the Baltimore Orioles would have a celebration for merely securing a postseason berth.

After a victory like this, why not?

Cedric Mullins hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th inning and the Orioles beat the Orioles 5-4 on Sunday. Tampa Bay Raysafter both teams confirmed their place in the playoffs.

Cleveland’s victory against Texas ensured their qualification, but Orioles fans had more reasons to celebrate.

Shortly after, Adam Frazier hit a tying run double in the bottom of the ninth off Pete Fairbanks to send the game into extra innings.

This was the first of two occasions in which the Orioles tied it facing the final out. Adley Rutschman had an RBI single in the 10th.

“That’s how we’ve played all year,” Mullins said after the Orioles’ 47th come-from-behind victory, the most in the majors. “Someone takes responsibility. And if one can’t, the next one will take care of it.”

DL Hall (2-0) pitched a scoreless 11th, retiring the Rays on a fly ball and two groundouts.

Ryan O’Hearn hit a sacrifice hit and the automatic runner advanced to third for Baltimore, giving Mullins a chance to win the game.

“Every (postseason) has something special,” said Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, ejected in the bottom of the ninth for an incomplete swing. “I spoke to the team briefly, I congratulated the players, those who have contributed but are not present with us. There is a lot of effort to achieve this. “Everyone understands it.”

For the Rays, the Cubans Yandy Diaz 4-0. Cuban-Mexican Randy Arozarena 5-0. Mexicans Isaac Paredes 3-0; and Jonathan Aranda 4-0. Dominican Manuel Margot 0-for-4 with one run scored. Panamanian Christian Bethancourt was 3-1 with one run scored and one RBI.

For the Orioles, Venezuelans Anthony Santander 5-0; and Luis Matos 0-0 with one scored. Mexican Ramon Urias 3-0.