Ben Zobrist went 2-for-4 with a
three-run homer, as the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second winning season in
club history with a 5-3 victory over the Orioles, sending Baltimore to its
13th consecutive defeat.
Carl Crawford belted a solo homer for the Rays, who recorded their first
winning season in franchise history last year when they finished 97-65 and
eventually captured the AL pennant. Willy Aybar knocked in the other run for
the victors in the third test of the four-game set.
James Shields (11-12) went eight innings for Tampa Bay, giving up three runs
on six hits. He also tied a season-high with eight strikeouts. Russ Springer
recorded the final two outs in the ninth to pick up his first save since 2001.
Ty Wigginton stroked a two-run homer for the Orioles, whose 13 straight
defeats ranks as the third-longest skid in team history. The Orioles have also
dropped 10 consecutive road games for the first time since August 24-September
13, 2003. Chad Moeller drove in the other run, while Melvin Mora went 2-for-4
with a run scored in defeat.
David Hernandez (4-10) got rocked in 4 1/3 frames for Baltimore, allowing five
runs on seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts. He's now winless in
nine appearances since a victory against Oakland on August 11.
The Rays drew first blood with a run in the second inning. B.J. Upton worked a
one-out walk, stole second, and scored on Aybar's single into the gap in
right-center field.
Zobrist's three-run homer during Tampa Bay's next at-bat made it a 4-0
game. Reid Brignac led off with a base hit before two quick outs. Following an
Evan Longoria walk, Zobrist launched a Hernandez offering into the seats in
right.
Crawford's homer leading off the fifth extended the Rays' margin to five.
Meanwhile, Shields retired 10 straight batters before giving up a leadoff
single to Moeller in the sixth.
Baltimore finally got to Shields in the eighth, plating three runs. Mora
singled and Michael Aubrey doubled before Moeller hit a sacrifice fly to
right. Pinch-hitter Wigginton then smacked a homer to left.
Game Notes
The Rays have won 10 of 17 games with the Orioles this season and six of
eight matchups at Tropicana Field...The Orioles are just 6-29 on the road
against the AL East.
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