BALTIMORE — Dean Kremer took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Gunnar Henderson hit his 36th home run and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 Friday night to remain atop the AL East.

Baltimore holds a half-game lead over the New York Yankees, who blanked the Chicago Cubs earlier Friday. The Orioles have 20 games left in the regular season and New York has 21 to go.

Kremer lost his no-hit bid when rookie Junior Caminero led off the seventh with a sharp single to left field. Dylan Carlson then grounded a single to right. After Josh Lowe reached on an error to load the bases with no outs, Kremer was pulled by manager Brandon Hyde with Baltimore nursing a 2-0 lead.

Yennier Cano quelled the threat by striking out Jonny DeLuca and José Caballero before retiring Ben Rortvedt on a popup.

Kremer (7-9) walked three and struck out seven. The right-hander was making his first start since Aug. 31, when he was forced out of the game after being struck on the right forearm with a line drive.

“I can still see the seams where it hit him,” Hyde said a few hours before Kremer took the mound against the Rays.

Seranthony Domínguez got the final four outs to complete the three-hitter and earn his ninth save, the eighth since coming to Baltimore in a late-July trade with the Phillies. He ended it by inducing a popup from Rortvedt with runners on second and third.

Shane Baz (2-3) allowed two hits and one earned run over six innings for the Rays. Baltimore scored an unearned run in the fifth before Henderson hit a solo shot to right in the sixth, his third home run in five games this month.

Tampa Bay has lost six of nine overall and is 2-9 against Baltimore this season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rays: 2B Brandon Lowe was held out with a swollen middle finger on his right hand. “Right now, every little swing is aggravating him, so we’re not sure how long it’s going to take,” manager Kevin Cash said.

Orioles: INF Ramón Urías (sprained ankle) is off crutches and “making huge strides” in his bid to return in late September, Hyde said. … 1B Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) is hitting off a tee, but “still not coming along the way we were hoping,” Hyde said. … INF Jordan Westburg (hand) is engaging in some baseball activities but not yet swinging a bat. … The Orioles are trying to determine if reliever Jacob Webb (elbow) needs another rehab start before coming off the IL.

UP NEXT

Zach Eflin (10-7, 3.60 ERA) faces the Rays on Saturday for the second time since being dealt from Tampa Bay to Baltimore on July 26. He’s 5-0 in five starts with the Orioles. Ryan Pepiot (7-6, 3.76) starts for the Rays.

In a thrilling matchup between the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles came out on top with a 5-2 victory. The standout performance of the game came from Orioles pitcher Dean Kremer, who held the Rays hitless for six innings.

Kremer, a rookie pitcher making just his second career start, was dominant on the mound, striking out six batters and walking just one. His performance was a testament to his skill and composure under pressure, as he faced a formidable Rays lineup that had been hitting well in recent games.

The Orioles offense also played a key role in securing the win, with Cedric Mullins hitting a two-run home run in the second inning to give Baltimore an early lead. The Orioles added to their lead with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, while the Rays were unable to mount a significant comeback against Kremer and the Orioles bullpen.

The victory was an important one for the Orioles, who are currently in last place in the American League East. It was a statement win for a team that has struggled at times this season, showing that they have the talent and determination to compete with some of the best teams in the league.

Overall, the Orioles’ win over the Rays was a memorable one, highlighted by Kremer’s impressive pitching performance and the team’s strong offensive showing. It was a reminder that in baseball, anything can happen on any given day, and that even a last-place team like the Orioles is capable of pulling off a big win against a tough opponent.