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Orioles rally past Price, Rays

Sep 3, 2011 - 6:09 AM St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - J.J. Hardy capped a three-run seventh inning with a two-run single, as the Baltimore Orioles rallied past the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-2, in the opener of a three-game series.

Nolan Reimold also drove in a run in the seventh for the Orioles, who had lost four of five.

Baltimore starter Zach Britton (9-9) gave up two runs on four hits over six innings to pick up the win. He struck out six and walked three.

Evan Longoria knocked in two runs for the Rays, who have lost four of five.

David Price (12-12) allowed three runs on four hits over seven innings to take the loss. He struck out 11 and walked three.

Last Sunday against Toronto, Price set a club record with 14 strikeouts in a 12-0 win.

"[Price] had great stuff again. He pitched well enough to win, we just didn't get enough runs," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

The Rays gave Price some early run support Friday, scoring two runs in the first inning. Desmond Jennings singled and Johnny Damon walked to begin the inning. Longoria knocked in both runners with a double to left.

Baltimore put men on first and second with nobody out in the second. Price struck out Mark Reynolds and Robert Andino before getting Reimold to fly out.

Price went on to retire the next 11 batters. The streak came to an end with two outs in the sixth, when Nick Markakis reached first on third baseman Longoria's throwing error.

It all fell apart for Price in the seventh. Vladimir Guerrero singled and Reynolds and Andino walked to load the bases with one out. Reimold fouled out to left fielder Jennings. Guerrero sprinted home from third as soon as the ball was caught. He made it home safe to make it a 2-1 game. Ryan Adams' infield single loaded the bases again. Hardy came through with a two-run single to left to give the O's a 3-2 lead.

After Jim Johnson tossed two perfect innings of relief for Baltimore, Kevin Gregg took over on the mound in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Sam Fuld singled and Kotchman and pinch-hitter Matt Joyce walked to load the bases with two outs. Brandon Guyer hit a grounder to shortstop Hardy, whose throw to first was low. Reynolds made a great scoop just before Guyer touched the bag to end the game.

"A lot of really good at-bats on our part," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I have nothing to complain about."

Game Notes

Gregg picked up his 20th save of the season...Price fell to 4-2 in eight career starts against the Orioles...The Rays recalled pitcher Andy Sonnanstine from Triple-A Durham and activated catcher Jose Lobaton from the 15-day disabled list. Lobaton went 1-for-3...Tampa Bay started a nine-game homestand on Friday, while the O's got a six-game road trip underway.