BALTIMORE (AP) -- Cal Ripken's 3,001st career hit was almost as memorable as No. 3,000.

Ripken, playing his first game at Camden Yards since getting his milestone hit, provided another highlight Wednesday night, connecting for a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning that lifted the Baltimore Orioles over Tampa Bay, 3-2.

Ripken led off by driving a 1-0 pitch from reliever Jim Mecir (2-1) into the left-field stands for his third homer of the year, giving the Orioles their third straight victory.

"If you were trying to write a script, trying to get the next hit and trying to celebrate all over again, this would be a good way to do it," Ripken said. "Tie ballgame, sitting on 3,000, getting a chance to celebrate a win with a sudden death home run -- it's a good feeling."

Ripken got his 3,000th hit Saturday at Minnesota. He didn't play Sunday, and the Orioles were rained out Monday and Tuesday.

"Guys like Cal, I don't think any one of us should be surprised at the things they do," Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said. "They only get stronger and more consistent. I was going to say better, but you can't get much better."

It was Ripken's third career game-ending home run and his first since connecting off Kevin Hickey of the Chicago White Sox on July 13, 1984. Wednesday's homer moved him past Roberto Clemente into sole possession of 23rd place on the career list.

And it came against Mecir -- a pitcher who Ripken said he finds difficult to hit against because he has trouble picking up the ball from the right-hander's delivery.

Asked what Ripken hit for the decisive homer, Mecir said, "I threw him the wrong pitch. I threw him my third-best pitch. It was in the middle of the plate. ... It doesn't matter. It was up."

Prior to the game, Ripken was honored with a video recap of his career. He twice received standing ovations -- before the Orioles batted in the first inning and before his first at-bat in the second.

The celebration, however, did not go off without a hitch.

Four banners bearing the number "3-0-0-0" were unfurled on the B&O Warehouse beyond right field, but only the first and last flags unrolled. Eventually, a team staffer reached out of an open window to knock the stubborn banners loose with a baton.

Jose Canseco and Vinny Castilla homered for the Devil Rays.

Orioles reliever Mike Trombley (1-1), who worked out of a jam after loading the bases with one out in the top of the ninth, got the victory.

Orioles starter Mike Mussina remained winless despite his fourth strong outing of the season. He allowed six hits, walked three and struck out seven in eight innings.

Mussina surrendered solo home runs to Canseco and Castilla for a 2-0 Tampa Bay lead in the fourth. Canseco hit a 2-2 pitch into the left-field bleachers to lead off the inning and Castilla hit his first American League homer, a 417-foot shot to center with two outs.

The Orioles rallied with one out in the seventh. Will Clark walked and went to third on Charles Johnson's double down the left-field line. Mike Bordick then tripled to the wall in right-center, tying the score and chasing starter Steve Trachsel.

Game notes
With a first-inning single, Canseco has hit in 12 of the Devil Rays' 14 games. ... Bordick singled to lead off the third, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games over two seasons. He has a hit in all 13 of the Orioles' games this season.