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Joyce's big day leads Rays past O's

Jun 29, 2014 - 11:27 PM Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Joyce had the best offensive game of his major league career on Sunday, homering twice and leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 12-7 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the finale of a four-game set at Camden Yards.

After he was left out of the lineup for Saturday's win, Joyce returned to the field and collected five hits, four RBI and three runs scored. His five hits and 12 total bases both matched Tampa Bay franchise records.

"You really don't have too many days like that," Joyce said. "It's nice to have one of those days and enjoy it."

Ben Zobrist, Logan Forsythe and Kevin Kiermaier also went yard for the Rays, who took three of four in the series. The Rays had seven homers over the final two games, both wins.

Zobrist scored two runs and had a pair of doubles, finishing 3-for-5 with two runs batted in. Desmond Jennings also scored twice.

Rays starter Alex Cobb (3-6) won despite allowing four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits in five innings.

The Rays trailed by a run through five innings but got to a pair of Baltimore relievers to jump in front and create plenty of distance on the scoreboard.

After Kiermaier's solo homer tied the score, Zobrist's two-out double extended the inning for Joyce, who slapped an RBI single to center. Joyce moved to second on the throw to the plate, and Evan Meek (0-3) departed after intentionally walking Evan Longoria. The move backfired, however, as James Loney greeted reliever Brian Matusz with a two-run double to center.

Brandon Guyer then doubled home Loney and Forsythe connected on a two-run homer out to left-center.

Joyce made it 12-4 in the seventh inning with his second home run of the contest, a two-run shot following Jennings' double. Baltimore made the final line look more respectable on Ryan Flaherty's three-run homer in the ninth against Cesar Ramos.

"Our goal is to go win the series, win the series in the division," said Orioles catcher Nick Hundley. "Whether it's the first place team or the last place team, our goal is the same."

Jennings led off Saturday's game with a home run. He didn't quite duplicate that result on Sunday, but his leadoff walk in the top of the first inning preceded Zobrist's RBI double to right.

Tampa Bay's lead was 2-0 after Joyce went yard with one away in the third inning. Baltimore got a run back in the bottom of the frame when Steve Pearce singled in Nick Markakis.

Manny Machado's two-run homer in the fourth inning gave the O's a brief lead. Zobrist tied it at 3-3 with his solo shot a half inning later.

Again Baltimore went in front, as a passed ball allowed Markakis to score from third in the home half of the fifth, but Tampa Bay's explosion in the sixth broke the game open.

Game Notes

Cobb improved to 4-1 in six career starts against Baltimore ... Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits ... Baltimore slugger Chris Davis finished the series 0-for-11. He is just 3- for-27 lifetime against the Rays ... Tampa Bay shortstop Yunel Escobar missed his fifth straight game with a sore shoulder. The team is considering placing him on the disabled list.