Orioles hang on to defeat Rays after almost blowing seven-run lead

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Aaron Hicks homered and had four RBIs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-6 after nearly blowing a seven-run lead Tuesday night in a matchup of the top two teams in the AL East.

Anthony Santander and Ryan O'Hearn also went deep, and Kyle Bradish (3-3) gave up two runs and four hits over five innings for the Orioles, who moved within four games of the first-place Rays. Félix Bautista, the fifth Baltimore reliever, got four outs to earn his 20th save on his 28th birthday.

"I just think we've just got to keep playing good baseball," Hicks said. "You can't really worry about the standings, what other teams are doing. You just have to go out and play hard, and get as many wins as you can."

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Baltimore Orioles Aaron Hicks (34) celebrates with third base coach Tony Mansolino (36) after his three-run home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla.  (AP Photo/Chris OMeara)

Francisco Mejía had an RBI double off Bradish during a two-run fifth before Manuel Margot drove in two with a pinch-hit single in a four-run sixth against three Baltimore relievers as the Rays got within 7-6.

Orioles second baseman Adam Frazier made a nifty running catch on Randy Arozarena's flare to center with two on to end the inning.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said off the bat he thought it would be a bloop hit.

Tampa Bay dropped to 31-8 at home, and has lost three straight overall. The Rays entered as the only team in the majors without a three-game skid this year.

Baltimore’s Austin Hays, who started