Johnson powers Rays to 12-10 win over Orioles

[May 18, 2013]  BALTIMORE (AP) -- Kelly Johnson hit a three-run homer and an RBI single, and the Tampa Bay Rays held on for a 12-10 victory over the slumping Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Johnson and Yunel Escobar had three hits apiece in Tampa Bay's highest scoring game of the season. Escobar also drove in three runs and Desmond Jennings added two hits and two RBIs.

The Orioles surrendered a season-high 17 hits for the second straight game and gave up their most runs in any game this season. Baltimore has allowed 27 runs and 52 hits while losing four of its last five games.

Chris Dickerson hit a three-run homer in Baltimore's six-run eighth inning, but the Orioles' rally stalled from there.

Jeremy Hellickson (2-2) was charged with eight runs and 10 hits in 7 2-3 innings, but still managed to get the win. Joel Peralta got four outs for his first save.

Johnson drove a full-count pitch from Jason Hammel (5-2) over the wall in right in the third, capping Tampa Bay's four-run outburst with his sixth homer. Johnson singled in James Loney, Escobar doubled home a run and Jennings had a two-run single in the fifth, helping the Rays open a 9-3 lead.

Hammel (5-2) allowed a season-high seven runs and 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks in his first loss since April 7. The right-hander's ERA has increased from 4.10 to 5.72 after allowing 13 runs and 18 hits over his last two starts.

Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Matt Wieters each drove in two runs for Baltimore, which finished with 13 hits. J.J. Hardy went 2 for 3 with his eighth homer, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.

After Dickerson connected against Kyle Farnsworth in the eighth, Yamaico Navarro reached on a two-out single. Peralta then came in and got Nate McLouth to fly out.

NOTES: Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria went 2 for 3 while extending his hitting streak to 11 games. ... Baltimore RHP Miguel Gonzalez (blister) likely will start Tuesday against the New York Yankees barring a setback, manager Buck Showalter said. Placed on the 15-day DL on May 4, Gonzalez is 2-2 in six starts. ... RHP Jair Jurrjens will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to start on Saturday, Showalter said. The former National League All-Star will face RHP Roberto Hernandez.

[Associated Press; By BENJAMIN STANDIG]

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