Jeff Fiorentino's RBI single in the
fourth inning proved to be the difference, as the Baltimore Orioles survived a
stressful ninth inning to post a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay and snap a 13-game
losing streak.
Cesar Izturis had two hits and scored a run for the Orioles, who last found
the win column on September 16 against these same Rays.
Chris Waters (1-0), making his first start of the season, gave up a run on two
hits and walked three over five innings to get the win.
Ben Zobrist homered and doubled for Tampa Bay, which had won four straight.
Matt Garza (8-12) allowed three runs and six hits over six innings to take the
loss.
Jim Johnson came on in the ninth to protect a two-run lead for Baltimore.
Zobrist led off with a double and a one-out single by Willy Aybar put runners
on the corners for Pat Burrell, who lofted a sacrifice fly to right. After
pinch-hitter Gregg Zaun singled, Johnson got Akinori Iwamura to ground out to
end the game and secure his ninth save of the season.
Baltimore got on the board in the opening frame when Izturis hit a one-out
double and scored on a Nick Markakis single that deflected off the glove of
shortstop Jason Bartlett.
The Orioles extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth on run-scoring singles by
Melvin Mora and Fiorentino.
Zobrist answered with a one-out blast to left field in the home half of the
inning.
Game Notes
The O's 13-game skid was the longest in the majors since Arizona dropped 14 in
a row in June 2004...Tampa Bay concludes the regular season with a three-game
set at home against the Yankees...Baltimore ends the year at home against
Toronto...The O's finished the 2009 campaign with a 25-56 road record.
©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
