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Rays aim to stay hot on road in Baltimore

May 6, 2011 - 3:04 PM (Sports Network) - James Shields tries to pitch the Tampa Bay Rays to their sixth consecutive road win this evening when they open a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Tampa was swept in a three-game set by Baltimore as part of an 0-6 start to its season, but the Rays have since clawed their way back and enter tonight's opener having won eight of their last 11 to move three games over .500 at 17-14.

The Rays secured a series win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, as Johnny Damon went 2-for-4 with a run batted in to help back 8 2/3 solid innings from David Price in Tampa's 3-1 win at Tropicana Field. John Jaso added an RBI double and scored a run, while Matt Joyce had a sacrifice fly for the Rays, who wrapped up a six-game homestand at 3-3.

"We have to do better defending The Trop in the future, but it was good to get back to 3-3 at home," Tampa manager Joe Maddon said. "We have to play better here. That's been one of our trademarks over the last several years, and so it's good to leave here at 3-3 as we move on to two other good teams."

Price (4-3) was sensational, allowing one unearned run and scattering four hits, while striking out 10 without issuing a walk. He was also visibly upset when he was removed, but Kyle Farnsworth retired Adam Lind on a ground out to end the game and pick up his sixth save of the season.

"I was mad," Price said. "I was, absolutely. But Farnsy did a great job. A complete game means a lot; that's what we go out there and try to do every five days. I was short today, and that's it."

Shields heads to the hill tonight, as he tries to continue his strong start to the season. He lost to the Orioles to open the year, but has won his last two decisions and has surrendered just four runs over his last four starts.

The right-hander was magnificent on Saturday against the LA Angels of Anaheim, but did not get a decision, despite allowing just a run and six hits, while striking out 12 in eight innings. He had thrown complete games in his previous two efforts and has pitched to a 2.14 ERA on the season.

Shields gave up two runs in 7 1/3 innings to the O's back on April 2 and is 7-5 lifetime against them with a 3.57 ERA in 20 starts.

Baltimore, meanwhile, will rely on rookie left-hander Zach Britton, who has won his last three starts and is 5-1 on the season with a 2.63 ERA. Britton won in Chicago on Sunday, yielding a run and five hits before leaving after six innings because of a callus on his finger.

"It's not a huge deal," Britton said of the callus. "It is something I get from the way I throw my sinker. It?s not really an issue."

Britton's first big league start came against Tampa on April 3, as he picked the win, giving up a run and three hits in six innings.

The Orioles come into tonight's opener on the heels of dropping two of three to the Kansas City Royals, including a 9-1 setback in Thursday's rubber match at Kauffman Stadium.

Adam Jones drove in the lone run for Baltimore, which has lost three of its last four games. Chris Tillman (1-3) was throttled for eight runs on 10 hits. He only struck out three and walked one.

"I couldn't put away hitters when I needed to," Tillman said.

Baltimore has won seven of its last eight in the series with the Rays.