The Baltimore Orioles won two out of three from the Tampa Bay Rays playing as the “home team” at peaceful Tropicana Field.
The series was originally scheduled to be played in Baltimore but the riots and protests as a result of the death of Freddy Gray forced the Birds to fly south to safer, sunny Florida.
Despite the distractions and concern for their city, the Orioles, after each team recorded a shutout, won the series finale 4-2 behind a 4-4 game by center fielder Adam Jones who also had two RBIs and is batting a sizzling .402.
Baltimore (12-11) starter Wei-Yin Chen allowed seven hits, struck out four and gave up two runs in six innings of work. The bullpen recorded a shutout and closer Zach Britton earned his fifth save of the year.
In a series where the runs totals were either 0, 2 or 4, the Rays (13-12) took game one 2-0 as each team could only manage four hits. Orioles starter Chris Tillman (2-3, 6.23 ERA)pitched well enough to win the game. He had seven strikeouts, pitched a three-hitter and walked two in seven innings of work. The Rays used their four hits wisely and scored two runs in the fourth inning to secure the win.
The Birds turned the tables on the Rays in game two, a 4-0 Baltimore victory. A three-run third inning was all Baltimore would need to even the series with Tampa Bay. After Manny Machado walked, Jimmy Paredes singled pushing Machado to second. After Jones flied out to center Chris Davis singled bringing in Machado.
Steve Pearce then doubled, scoring Paredes and Davis to give the Birds a three-run advantage. Catcher Caleb Joseph clobbered his second home run of the year in the sixth inning to complete the scoring for the Birds.
Meanwhile, Baltimore starter Miguel Gonzalez (3-1) recorded six strikeouts, allowed four hits and one walk in seven and 2/3 innings of work. He now has a 2.59 ERA in a winning effort for Orioles.
