Game 136 Recap-
LH James Shields(12-8,) allowed one run over 7 innings and SS Jason Bartlett homered for the 1st time in over a year, helping the Tampa Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles,10-4 Sunday at Tropicana Field to complete a 3 game sweep. The win puts the Rays AL East division lead at 5 1/2 games and they finished the month at 21-8 for August, a team record for wins in a month. DH Rocco Baldelli was 3 for 3 and Bartlett 4 for 4.
LH Brian Burres(7-9,6.08) had another rough outing after getting recalled from Triple A for this start. In 5 innings, he allowed 9 hits and 7 runs while walking 4 and striking out the same number. LH Alberto Castillo(1-0,3.10) took over and had an interesting 6th inning, he hit the first two batters he faced then walked the next two!
Shields(12-8,3.66) , one of the more underrated pitchers in the game, allowed 6 hits and 1 run over 7. He walked 2 and struck out 1, using 101 pitches. He was focused on the big picture post game, the Pennant race! “This series was really good to go into September,” Shields said. “Our hitters are really on right now and our pitchers are pitching as good as ever. We’re really putting it together right now.”
This was not a good performance for the Os who have hit a rough patch here. The team scored 3 runs in the 8th(2 on an rbi double from LF Luke Scott) but has now dropped to 63-73 and a season-worst 10 games under .500, having lost 10 of 12. “We got flat-out beat,” Baltimore first baseman Kevin Millar said. Not a good omen going into Fenway Park to face the World Champion Boston Red Sox!
Star of the Game-
Orioles Manager Dave Trembley for telling it like it is post game: “In an understatement, not very pretty,” Trembley said. “Not real pleased, you’ve got to sit there and watch 180 pitches everyday. I’d rather have the fastball thrown over the plate and have people hit it instead of giving runs away like that. It will be addressed.” He promised a meeting with both the staff and Pitching coach Rick Kranitz before the Red Sox series.
Orioles Notes-
DL-ed CF Adam Jones will return from his foot injury and play Monday… LHP Garrett Olson(8-6,6.38) will be recalled from Triple A Norfolk and pitch Monday’s game…3b Aubrey Huff and 2b Brian Roberts had 2 hits apiece
How bad was this series?
Rays 3 game series totals: 34 runs, 40 hits and 25 walks, 6 hit by pitches and twice drew four walks in a row… RH RPs Randor Bierd(2/3rds of an inning,3.64) & Jim Johnson(1 inning,2.23) did not allow runs in their appearances… Guillermo Quiroz started at C , giving Ramon Hernandez a day off
Next Game-
Monday,Start a 3 game series at Boston vs the Red Sox
7:05
Orioles LHP Garrett Olson(8-6,6.38) vs. Red Sox RH Paul Byrd(9-11,4.55)
