Game 134 Recap-
The Tampa Bay Rays jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back, punishing the Baltimore Orioles 14-3 Friday night at Tropicana Field in Florida. SS Ben Zobrist had a grand slam and DH Cliff Floyd added 5 rbi, while the team exploded for 7 runs in the 4th. LH Scott Kazmir(10-6,3.13) got the win, going 5 1/3(102 pitches) while alliowing 3 hits with 6 Ks and 3 walks. Orioles DH Aubrey Huff had 2 hits, a run and rbi for Baltimore.
Orioles RH Jeremy Guthrie(10-11,3.57) continued his recent string of struggles with another poor outing. Over 3+(85 pitches?!) innings, he was touched for 7 hits and 7 runs with 6 walks(unusual for him) while striking out 2. This was Guthrie’s 3rd consecutive loss and he offered no excuses post game,”I didn’t feel great physically,” Guthrie said. “At the same time it doesn’t mean I can’t pitch well.” RH Fernando Cabrera(2-1,5.00) took one for the team in the long man role Friday, he allowed 5 runs(4 earned) over his 2 innings to save a depleted and overworked relief corps.
The Rays, on the other hand, have been the biggest Cinderella story of the year. At 82-51, they stand 4 1/2 games ahead of the reigning World Champion Boston Red Sox. Tampa clinched its first winning season with the victory, the club has never won more than 70 games previously and stands at an amazing 50-19 at home. A Huge turnaround and the man behinf it was very proud postgame, “Going into spring training I knew we were better,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “We just didn’t know how much better. Eighty-two wins is a big moment, and I want this to be the standard of what we do, to get that number on an annual basis.
The Rays banged out 15 hits and added 9 walks, Floyd had 2 doubles, while RF Gabe Gross(3 hits) and C Shawn Riggans had home runs. Lead off man Akinori Iwamura had 2 hits(triple) and 3 runs while CF BJ Upton had 3 hits and 3 runs. 1b Carlos Pena added 3 walks and 2 rbi.
Star of the Game-
Zobrist- Grand slam was the big blow in decisive 4th inning
Orioles Notes-
Team MVP 3b Melvin Mora left the game in the 3rd inning after suffering a grade I hamsting strain, he is expected to miss the rest of the Tampa series… C Ramon Hernandez was ejected in the 4th for challenging a check swing that was called a ball on a batter…. RH Daniel Cabrera began serving his 6 game suspension for throwing at Yankees 3b Alex Rodriquez
Next Game-
Saturday, Game 2 of series at Tampa, Tropicana Field
3:55
Orioles LH Chris Waters(2-1,4.71) vs Tampa RH Andy Sonnanstine(13-6,4.42)
