Final
Orioles-Rays Preview
Sep 28, 2010 - 4:40 AMVideo
Baltimore (61-94) at Tampa Bay (93-62), 7:10 p.m. EDT
The Tampa Bay Rays failed to secure a playoff spot in their last game, but with David Price taking the mound, they have to like their chances to celebrate at home Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles.
Evan Longoria just hopes some fans will show up to witness the potential clincher.
Price (18-6, 2.84 ERA) looks to help Tampa Bay avoid a three-game losing streak after dropping Monday's series opener 4-0 to Baltimore. The Rays' magic number to clinch a playoff spot remained at one, while they maintained an AL East lead of one-half game over the New York Yankees, who lost to Toronto.
Either Tampa Bay's next win or Boston's next loss will put the Rays in the playoffs.
Although the Rays (93-63) have struggled to close things out, going 12-12 in September, Price is having an outstanding month to boost his chances for the AL Cy Young Award.
Tampa Bay has won all five of Price's starts in September, during which he has a 2.06 ERA. He won his third straight decision Thursday, giving up three runs while striking out seven in six innings of a 10-3 victory over the Yankees.
Price sports a 2.11 ERA at home this season and ranks third in the AL in both wins and ERA, but manager Joe Maddon isn't assuming anything for Tuesday.
"I'm not a chicken counter. You just go out and play the game and see what happens," Maddon said. "I like the fact that David's out there. We've just got to go out there and play a good game of baseball."
The left-hander is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in four career starts against the Orioles, including a 9-1 win April 14 at Camden Yards in which he allowed one run and four hits in seven innings.
If Tampa Bay clinches, few might be present to witness it. Monday's announced crowd was 12,446 - well below the already-paltry 23,047 the Rays are averaging at Tropicana Field.
"It's a tough situation for us. A lot of the visiting teams come in and wonder where are all the fans. It's a little bit embarrassing for us," Longoria said. "Again, we're one game away from clinching a postseason spot. We have enough guys in this room to celebrate with, but we'd love to celebrate with the fans, too. It's just tough to see that."
Longoria missed his fourth straight game Monday with a strained left quadriceps. Maddon said he most likely will sit out the remainder of the series.
The Orioles (62-94) snapped a four-game losing streak in the series opener. Nick Markakis had two hits and drove in two runs.
Baltimore starter Brad Bergesen (8-10 4.90) will try to continue his recent success and reverse his fortunes versus Tampa Bay.
The right-hander has won his last two starts and is 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA in his last nine. He gave up one run in six innings of a 9-1 victory at Boston last Tuesday.
Bergesen is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA lifetime against the Rays, including two losses this season in which he allowed 13 runs over 8 1-3 innings.
- Rays 5, Orioles 0 - FINAL
BALTIMORE ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Lugo 2b 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 .249
B Snyder 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
R Andino ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .244
N Markakis rf 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .293
T Wigginton 1b-2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .254
J Fox dh 3 0 1 0 0 1 1 .219
va-C Patt
Sep 28 9:19 PM - AL
AT TAMPA BAY - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY CARL CRAWFORD (17) TO RIGHT WITH 1 OUT IN
THE 5TH OFF BRAD BERGESEN.
CURRENT SCORE: BALTIMORE 0, TAMPA BAY 5
DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: D JOHNSON (.216, 1-FOR-2, RBI)
Orioles 0, Rays 5 Bot 5, 0 OutsSep 28 8:30 PM - AL
AT TAMPA BAY - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY BEN ZOBRIST SCORED JOHN JASO
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: BALTIMORE 0
TAMPA BAY 4 BOTTOM,5TH
DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: C CRAWFORD (.308, 1-FOR-1, BB)
Orioles 0, Rays 4 Bot 5, 0 OutsSep 28 8:29 PM - AL
AT TAMPA BAY - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY CARLOS PENA (28) TO RIGHT CENTER WITH 0 OUT
IN THE 4TH OFF BRAD BERGESEN.
CURRENT SCORE: BALTIMORE 0, TAMPA BAY 3
DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: B UPTON (.241, 1-FOR-1, RBI)
Orioles 0, Rays 3 Bot 4, 0 OutsSep 28 8:15 PM - AL
AT TAMPA BAY - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY DAN JOHNSON SCORED CARL CRAWFORD
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, D JOHNSON ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: BALTIMORE 0
TAMPA BAY 2 BOTTOM,3RD
DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: M JOYCE (.237, 0-FOR-0, BB)
Orioles 0, Rays 2 Bot 3, 0 OutsSep 28 8:00 PM - AL
AT TAMPA BAY - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY B.J. UPTON SCORED MATT JOYCE
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, B UPTON ON FIRST, C PENA ON SECOND, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: BALTIMORE 0
TAMPA BAY 1 BOTTOM,2ND
DUE UP FOR TAMPA BAY: R BRIGNAC (.266, 8 HR, 44 RBI)
Orioles 0, Rays 1 Bot 2, 0 OutsSep 28 7:39 PM
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