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Baltimore Orioles John Means Throws a Career Game Vs Rays

By Kristen Bentley

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 20: John Means #47 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 20, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 20: John Means #47 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 20, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles finally got a win against the Rays in their last meeting of the season.

But, this wasn’t just any Baltimore Orioles win. It was the win the fans, front office, and players were waiting for.

This game was carried by hopeful team ace John Means, who threw the game of his 2020 season, if not of his career.

After struggling to get it going in 2020, he stymied the Rays batters, striking out 12 in 5.2 innings. Prior to this game, the most he K’d in 2020 was five in the September 8 win against the Mets. He pitched six innings in that game.

Means’ outing was bested only by the three relief pitchers who put up goose eggs in the last three innings of the game. Dylan Tate and Hunter Harvey combined for four strikeouts. Cesar Valdez closed the game with no hits, runs, walks, or strikeouts. The box score is a beautiful site filled with zeros.

The offense was relatively quiet with Hanser Alberto and Austin Hays taking their spots at the top of the lineup. The Orioles only scoring came in the first inning off of a Renato Nunez single that brought in Alberto and Hays. Other than that, the only other hits belonged to Nunez and Alberto.

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The Rays offense was quiet, too. Their sole run was a solo home run off of Willy Adames‘ bat. The Orioles have been involved in 19 one-run games. This was only their seventh time coming out on top when the score is this close.

In the 2020 season, the Orioles were 4-6 against their AL East rivals to the south. After a three-game sweep in the third series of the year, the Orioles struggled to get wins against the tough team from The Trop. The wins against the Rays served as bookends, with several close losses in the middle.

The Orioles should be proud of the work they did against the Rays. The Tampa Bay pitching staff is tough from start to close. They also have a stacked lineup, with several batters who consistently hit for power.

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The Orioles have two series left before the end of the season. They have Monday off before they head to Boston, then to Buffalo.

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