Rays Game Recap: O’s top Rays in pitching duel

Date: April 2, 2011

v. Baltimore Orioles

Attendance: 22,164

Pitching Matchup:

TB: James Shields (0-0) 0.00 ERA

Bal: Chris Tillman (0-0) 0.00 ERA

Summary:

James Shields and Chris Tillman locked up in a great pitching duel on Saturday night. For a while, it looked like Tillman might throw a no-hitter. He threw one through six and two thirds before B.J. Upton singled cleanly to center field. He stole second, but was thrown out by Felix Pie at home trying to score the tie-breaking run.

Shields pitched into the eighth before the O’s were able to solve him. A single and a walk knocked him out of the game. Jake McGee came in to give up a three run homer to Brian Roberts.

Evan Longoria left the game in the sixth with a sore left oblique. There’s no word as of yet to the seriousness of the injury. The injury proved serious to the actual game, however when the Rays put two men on in the eighth with Longoria’s spot coming up. Sam Fuld struck out before Manny Ramirez knocked in a run.

The Rays put two men on in the ninth as well. With two out, Ben Zobrist hit a shot that I thought might have a chance to get out. At the very least, it had a chance to tie the game but Nick Markakis caught up to the drive to end the game.

Next Up:

Wade Davis fresh off signing a longterm extension goes to the mound to try to avoid the sweep against Zachary Britton making his major league debut.