Game 106: Matt Moore, Bullpen Combine On Shutout

Friday night kicked off what could be a pivotal series for the Tampa Bay Rays against the Baltimore Orioles. In the Battle for Second Place, the Rays struck first.

B.J. Upton led off the bottom of the fourth with his 10th home run of the season, and Desmond Jennings contributed another home run leading off the sixth to provide all the scoring in a 2-0 victory.The Rays threatened to add more in the sixth, as they had runners on first and second with only one out. However Carlos Pena‘s drive to center was caught by Adam Jones, and Sam Fuld flew out to left.

Matt Moore got out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the first with two outs, striking out Mark Reynolds to end the threat. From that point on, Moore managed to avoid serious trouble, lasting 5.1 innings, and giving up 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6 Orioles.

The Orioles threatened again in the top of the eighth. With one out, Joel Peralta gave up consecutive singles to Matt Wieters and Chris Davis, putting runners and first and second. Peralta bounced back, striking out Reynolds and pinch hitter Wilson Betemit to get out of trouble. Fernando Rodney pitched a perfect ninth to record save number 32 on the year.

Game Notes: B.J. Upton‘s home run was the 100th of his career. His brother, Justin, also hit his 100th career home run tonight, approximately seven minutes prior to B.J.’s blast.