Orioles Grind Out 5-3 Win Over Rays
The Baltimore Orioles took game one of a three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday night. Orioles starter Chris Tillman picked up his first quality started since beating the Toronto Blue Jays on April 11th. The team’s Opening Day starter threw 6+ innings, while only giving up five hits and three runs. Nelson Cruz, Matt Wieters, and Ryan Flaherty all contributed offensively with two hits apiece in the victory.
Tillman started off the game slowly, giving up a two-run home run to Rays third basemen Evan Longoria in the bottom of the first inning; however, the Orioles ace could have been out of the inning before Longoria even stepped into the box if not for Manny Machado misplaying a tough grounder at third base (although it was ruled a hit).
Following Longoria’s homer, Tillman settled down and did not give up another hit until there were two outs in the bottom of the 5th inning. The 26-year-old starter’s good performance came off of a three game lull in which he recorded a 7.63 ERA.
Fill-in first basemen Steve Pearce hit his first home run of the season on a full count pitch from Ray’s starter Chris Archer in the 3rd inning. The home run got Pearce out of a mini 0 for 8 slump at the plate.
The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs in both the top of the 4th and 5th innings respectively; in both instances the O’s managed to only get one run across the plate.
Tillman pitched into the 7th inning, only to give up a leadoff single and a walk in his final inning. After manager Buck Showalter replaced Tillman with Darren O’Day in the 7th, the Rays tied the game up at 3-3 on a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
Baltimore quickly took back the lead in the top of the 8th inning however. For the third inning of game, the Orioles once again loaded the bases, and both Flaherty (single) and Nick Markakis (fielder’s choice) picked up RBIs in the inning to give the Orioles a 5-3 lead.
Orioles closer Tommy Hunter came into the game in the bottom of the 9th inning to finish off the Rays. Tampa quickly loaded the bases off of the flamethrower on a single and a couple of walks, but Hunter struck out Logan Forsythe to end the game.
The three game series in St. Pete will continue on Wednesday when Bud Norris takes on Cesar Ramos at 7:10 pm.
