Baldelli blast helps Rays maintain winning run

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Rocco Baldelli drilled a ninth-inning double down the third-base line to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to a dramatic 10-9 over the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.

The surprising Rays (83-51) have won four straight as they continue to maintain command of the American League East division.

"It's the best baseball story of the year," Rays pitcher J.P. Howell told reporters. "And it's going to keep going."

The latest victory was far from easy, however, as Tampa Bay were required to rally from a 7-3 deficit in the top of the fifth.

First baseman Carlos Pena delivered a two-run double during a three-run sixth and Baldelli was hit by a pitch that forced in a run in the seventh.

The designated-hitter was making just his seventh start of the year, after being diagnosed with a rare DNA disorder in Spring Training that sidelined him for most of the year. He finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs including the game-winner.

"What he's done to come back and to win a ball game like that is just huge for him, huge for us and huge for the city," Tampa Bay starter Andy Sonnanstine said.

The Orioles' Nick Markakis had a huge day, going 4-for-5 with a solo home run in the top of the ninth that tied the game at 9-9.

Despite allowing the homer, reliever Dan Wheeler (3-5) was credited with the win after pitching the top of the ninth.

Sonnanstine was rocked for five runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Jay Payton's two-run homer in the first gave Baltimore a 2-0 lead and the Orioles (63-72) tacked on three more in the third with Aubrey Huff's three-run shot, his 30th of the year.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner; Editing by John O'Brien)