Game 49 Recap-
The new and improved Tampa Rays continued their cinderella story of a season and brought the bats as they plated runs in the 1st two innings to beat the Baltimore Orioles,11-4 Saturday at Tropicana Field in Florida. Stud Rookie 3b Evan Longoria led the way with 2 homers and 6 rbi, 1b Carlos Pena added 3 hits & rbi with a walk and 2 runs scored.
Baltimore has been in a offensive funk and Manager Dave Trombley held a 10 minute team meeting to clear the air and gave 3 regulars the night off. The Os leader was trying to remain positive saying,” Things will turn out in our favor.” The team has lost some close games recently and the batters are in a a major slump. He sat 2b Brian Roberts, RF Nick Markakis and C Ramon Hernandez citing “mental days.” Markakis, in particular, is having a strong season and is a an on base machine.
Meetings or no meetings, Veteran Orioles RH SP Steve Trachsel continues to struggle, after being skipped in the rotation, he was pummeled by the exciting Rays lineup. He lasted 1 2/3 innings, allowing 7 hits and 9 runs with 2 walks and a single strikeout. He is now 2-5 with a 8.83 era, the proud veteran wondered post game if he was tiping pitches. Sad to see for this class, team guy.
With the offensive explosion, Rays RH SP Edwin Jackson just needed to make pitches and get outs. He did, over 5 innings,he allowed 4 hits and 3 runs with 5 free passes and 2 Ks. The promising right hander is 3-43 with a 3.47 era in 2008.
Offensively for the Os, LF Luke Scott homered in the 3rd to break a team wide homerless streak at 31. Backup C Guillermo Quiroz has 2 hits and an rbi 3 while Markakis’ stand-in OF Jay Payton added a double, run,rbi and walk. 1b Kevin Millar drew 3 walks and scored.
Player of the Game-
Longoria… Former Minor league player of the year was the story, sickening potential
Orioles Notes-
Team had 5 hits, 2 for extra bases… Baltimore pen continues to be strong, as RHs Matt Albers, Lance Cormier and Dennis Sarfate pithced 6 1/3 innings and allowed 1 earned run with 5 strike outs
Next Game-
Sunday,1:40 PM- Tropicana Field
Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera(5-1,3.48 era) vs Rays LH James Shields(4-3,3.38)
