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 The Orioles beat the Rays 3-1 as Tampa Bay (15-20) went 1-for-12
with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base, suffering
its first sweep of three games or more at home since June 12-14,
2012.
En route to its first road sweep at Tropicana Field since April
2011, Baltimore (18-14) scored three early runs off Tampa Bay
starter David Price (3-3) and wriggled out of a few jams, eventually
escaping with the club's first three-game series sweep overall since
July 19-21 at Texas.
"They had some opportunities they squandered," Orioles manager Buck
Showalter said. "We certainly did, too, but the bullpen was good
tonight."
Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (2-4) turned in a solid start for the
Orioles, allowing one run, seven hits and two walks in 5 1/3
innings. He narrowly escaped a big inning in the fifth, when the
Rays loaded the bases with one out for Evan Longoria. But the Rays'
star third baseman bounced into an inning-ending double play that
was confirmed after a two-minute instant-replay review prompted by
Rays manager Joe Maddon.
"Just not getting it done. That's the bottom line," Longoria said.
"For lack of a better term, it sucks."
 It would not turn out to be the last missed opportunity for Tampa
Bay, but it was perhaps the most significant.
"It was huge," Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce said. "The bases
were loaded, and if that ball got past me, it could have cleared the
bases."
Orioles reliever Ryan Webb found himself with runners on second and
third base with two outs in the sixth, but he got pinch-hitter Ryan
Hanigan to ground out to Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy to end the
inning.
Still, was not the last time the Rays threatened to make it
interesting.
In the seventh, Tampa Bay drew two walks, but Webb struck out
Longoria before lefty reliever forced first baseman James Loney, a
dangerous late-game hitter, to fly out to Adam Jones in center
field.
The Rays rallied once again in the ninth, leading off the inning
with two hits against reliever Darren O'Day. But center fielder
Desmond Jennings grounded into a double play and left fielder Matt
Joyce bounced out as O'Day picked up his second save of the season.
"Had opportunities all over the place tonight. Had the right guys up
there," Maddon said. "It just did not want to play out for us."
The Rays jumped out to an early lead, scoring a run in the first
against Jimenez. Jennings reached on a fielder's choice, stole
second, took third on Joyce's flyout and scored on Longoria's
two-out single to right.
After getting two quick outs in the second, Price gave up a double
to Hardy. Pearce then worked a full count and crushed a 94 mph
fastball into the left-field stands for his second homer of the
year, putting the Orioles ahead by a run.
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Baltimore added to its lead in the fourth, when Pearce and second
baseman Jonathan Schoop put together back-to-back two-out singles
off Price to drive in Jones.
Price exited the game after loading the bases with no outs in the
sixth. The seemingly impossible jam fell to right-hander Brad
Boxberger, who left the Orioles with a memorable missed opportunity
of their own.
Boxberger struck out Pearce, Schoop and catcher Caleb Joseph on nine
pitches to get out of the inning unscathed. Although their pitch
count records are incomplete, the Elias Sports Bureau has no record
of any other major league pitcher ever entering a game with the
bases loaded and immediately striking out the side on nine pitches.
"If I ever leave the game with runners on, Box is the guy I want to
come in. That was incredible," Price said. "That could be a part of
history, and I really appreciate it."
NOTES: Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey was ejected by home-plate
umpire Marty Foster after the top of the first inning for arguing a
checked-swing call on CF Adam Jones. ... With a third-inning single,
Orioles OF Nick Markakis extended his hitting streak to 15 games.
... Orioles 1B Chris Davis (left oblique strain) is expected to take
pregame batting practice on Friday. He likely will need a brief
minor league rehabilitation assignment before rejoining the Orioles.
... Rays RHP Alex Cobb (left oblique strain) is scheduled to pitch a
three-inning simulated game on Friday, his first time facing hitters
since being placed on the disabled list on April 13. ... RHP Dylan
Bundy, the top prospect recovering from Tommy John surgery last
June, threw a 50-pitch bullpen session on Thursday and will face
hitters for the first time in nearly a year on Tuesday. ... The Rays
will remain home on Friday to kick off a three-game series against
the Cleveland Indians. RHP Jake Odorizzi (1-3, 6.83 ERA) is
scheduled to start against Indians RHP Corey Kluber (2-3, 3.60). ...
The Orioles head to Camden Yards to begin a three-game series
against the Astros starting Friday, when LHP Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.24
ERA) takes on Astros RHP Scott Feldman (2-1, 1.69).
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
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