Game 135 Recap-
Rays DH Rocco Baldelli(2 for 3) doubled in the winning run in the 9th, helping the Tampa Rays defeat the Baltimore Orioles 10-9 at Tropicana Field in Florida. The hit spoiled a 9th inning game tying homer from RF Nick Markakis(4 for 5) and handed the Os their 9th loss in 11 contests. 3b Aubrey Huff had a homer(#30) and 3 rbi(98) while CF Jay Payton(HR) and C Ramon Hernandez had 2 hits apiece. Rays 3b Akinori Iwamura continued his big series with 3 hits, 1b Carlos Pena added 3 rbi and 3 runs.
Baldelli, a strong talent(2003 AL Rookie of the Year) who has battled a disorder that slows muscle recovery & causes fatigue, was done in many baseball insiders eyes with several legs injuries. “I didn’t think in spring training that I’d be part of anything like that,” said Baldelli, who was mobbed by teammates after his first career walk-off hit. “I wanted to, but I didn’t think it was a possibility. Sometimes you get things that you don’t expect. So it was nice.”
Orioles LH Chris Waters(2-1,5.45) had a rough outing, over 4 1/3 innings, he allowed 8 hits and 5 runs with 4 walks and 2 Ks. Waters, who grew up around an hour from Tampa in Lakeland, Florida, walked 4 straight to lead off the game.”Little bit of nervousness in my first game in my hometown,” Waters said. “Thirty people here to see me and I just let it overwhelm me.” Rays CF BJ Upton drove in 2 runs with a double in the 2nd and C Dioner Navarro rbi double in the 4th chased the hometown boy.
Rays RH Andy Sonnanstine(13-6,4.61) missed out on his 14th win and did not have a strong game. In 3 1/3 innings plus, he allowed 7 hits and 6 runs(5 earned) with 1 walk and 2 Ks while Huff and Payton touched him for homers. The game became a bullpen battle and Tampa’s was slightly better as ex Orioles Chad Bradford’s(2.19) inning and 2/3rds was huge. Rookie Rocky Cherry(0-2,4.66) took the loss and paid for a 1 out walk with the Baldelli double to left.
Star of the Game-
Baldelli- Great human interest story– imagine if this young man stays healthy how good this team could be… better yet, picture this club with a clean Josh Hamilton!
Orioles Notes-
Pitchers have allowed 18 walks and 24 runs in the last 2 games,”I think we’re making it a whole lot more difficult than we should,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said…Markakis(41) and Huff(42) are both over 40 doubles for the season… Lou Montanez started in LF and was 1 for 4
Next Game-
Sunday, series conclusion vs Rays in Tampa
Orioles LH Brian Burres(7-8,5.79) vs Rays LH James Shields(11-8,3.73)
