James McCann delivered a walk-off two-run single to cap a late-inning comeback on Wednesday night by the host Baltimore Orioles, who edged the Kansas City Royals 4-3.
The Orioles had just one hit and a pair of walks in the first seven innings against Royals starter Cole Ragans and reliever James McArthur before scoring twice in the eighth, when Gunnar Henderson lofted a sacrifice fly and McCann scored on a two-out single by Adley Rutschman.
Ryan Mountcastle opened the ninth by working a walk against Will Smith (0-2) before Anthony Santander singled. Cedric Mullins pinch-ran for Santander, and both runners moved up a base on the first sacrifice bunt of Jordan Westburg’s professional career. Austin Hays was then intentionally walked to load the bases.
Smith struck out Colton Cowser looking before McCann singled to left on a 2-0 count for his game-winning hit to cap a contest that began exactly five hours late due to rain.
It was the Orioles’ second walk-off win in three days. Westburg hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning on Monday to give Baltimore a 6-4 victory.
Yennier Cano (1-0) threw a perfect ninth inning for the win.
Salvador Perez had a pair of RBI singles and Maikel Garcia hit a solo homer in the seventh for the Royals. Perez finished with three hits while Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. had two apiece.
The Orioles’ comeback saddled Ragans with a tough-luck no-decision after he allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out seven over 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Ragans retired the first 10 batters he faced before Rutschman doubled.
Ragans then set down eight straight before walking Rutschman and Mountcastle to begin the seventh.
Ragans has tossed shutout ball in five of his 14 starts for the Royals since he was acquired from the Texas Rangers on June 30, 2023.
Orioles starter Corbin Burnes allowed two runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out three over 5 2/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
