Game 49 Recap-
Supremely talented Rays rookie 3b Evan Longoria doubled home the winning run and continued to kill Orioles pitching, as the Rays swept a 3 game series, winning Sunday, 5-4. After hitting 2 homers Friday, Longoria plated 1b Carlos Pena, who walked with 1 out for the decisive run. The uprising occured after Baltimore closer George Sherrill entered the game.(1-1)
In a game that featured two of the better young starters in the AL in Os RH Daniel Cabrera and Rays LH James Shields, they both pitched well but Shields have his “A” game, getting his team to the 8th inning. Cabrera, who has been wild throughout his career, had turned it around this season,(73 IP/30 walks compared to 204 1/3 IP and 108 last season) however, he walked 6 in 5 2/3 innings Sunday. Daniel also allowed 9 hits and 4 runs with 1 strike out. Shields one upped the Baltimore starter, allowing 8 hits and 4 runs(3 earned) with 1 walk and 3 Ks.
After Orioles C Ramon Hernandez drove in a run with an rbi single in the 2nd, the Rays responded with 4 runs in the 3rd. Pena hit a 2 run homer while DH Eric Hinske and C Dioner Navarro added rbi hits. Rookie CF Adam Jones got the 2nd Orioles run home with a double in the 5th. Baltimore continued to show life in the 6th when they tied the game at 4 after 3b Melvin Mora singled home a run, DH Aubrey Huff took Shields deep to CF for a 4-4 deadlock.
Star of the Game-
Pena- Continues his hot stretch and has killed the Orioles. In 11 games vs Baltimore, he has 5 homers and 18 RBI. In 38 games vs other teams, he h as 5 and 11.
Orioles Notes-
LF Luke Scott , battling soreness in his knee, shoulder and achilles tendon, was given the day off. He pinch hit and grounded out in the 7th….2b Brian Roberts, RF Nick Markakis and C Ramon Hernandez all started after getting a day off Saturday for mental rest… Pena is 6 for 16 with 3 homers and 7 RBi vs Cabrera
Next Game-
Start of a 3 Game series vs NY Yankees at Camden Yards
1:35 Monday
Orioles LH Garrett Olson(3-1) vs Yankees RH Darrell Rasner(3-0)
