Game 98: David Price, Offense Blast Orioles

The Ryan Roberts Era started with a bang.

Roberts went 1-2 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored, David Price cruised through seven solid innings of work, and the Rays offense exploded as they ran roughshod over the Baltimore Orioles in a 10-1 victory at Camden Yards.

Desmond Jennings homered on the first pitch of the game, sparking a five run top of the first that essentially put the game away before the Orioles came to bat. Roberts’ home run came with two out in the third, and Jose Lobaton added a three run home run in the top of the fifth, the first of his career in his 59th career game. The Rays had ice scream for him when he got back to the dugout. Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez was torched over his 2.2 innings of work, giving up 7 earned runs on 7 hits, 2 walks, a wild pitch, and 3 hit batsmen, while somehow striking out 2 hitters.

David Price, meanwhile, cruised after allowing a first inning run, allowing just that one run on 7 hits. Price did not walk a batter, and struck out 10 Orioles as he picked up his 14th win of the year. With the victory, the Rays now find themselves 2.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot.

Game Notes: Jose Lobaton had three hits and four RBI, both career highs. The Rays ten runs in the game were more than they had scored in their previous four games combined and the first time they had reached double digits since July 5th versus the Indians.