Tampa Bay Rays Sweep Orioles, Win Team Record 8th Straight Road game

May 8, 2011

A: Baltimore Orioles

Attendance: 16,359

W: Wade Davis (4-2) 3.07 ERA

L: Brad Bergeson (0-4) 5.57ERA

Summary:
For the second game in a row the Rays starting pitcher could only last five innings. With the bullpen already getting over-worked the Rays to called Rob Delaney up from Durham to bolster the bullpen. Brandon Guyer, who hit a home run in his first major league at bat on Friday, was sent down to make room for Delaney.

B.J. Upton provided all the scoring the Rays would need, doubling his RBI total for the three game series to eight, but the game didn’t end without a bit of drama.  Kyle Farnsworth, who came in during the eight inning to replace Joel Peralta , struck out Mark Reynolds to finish the inning but then allowed a lead-off double in the bottom of the ninth to a pinch-hitting Felix Pie. After Brian Roberts flied out Farnsworth hit outfielder Nick Markakis, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate in Derrek Lee. Lee had a home run in the fifth inning, a solo shot that would prove to be the last score for the Orioles. Lee grounded into a double play to preserve the win for the Rays and allowing the Rays to keep pace with the New York Yankees at the top of the American League East.

For the Rays it was also a record eight straight road win and a complete reversal of fortunes. The Orioles swept the Rays at home in the season opening series in April.

Player of the Game: For the second night B.J. Upton gets the nod. Upton has 22 RBI so far this season, with 11 of them in the month of May.