• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

New faces take the mound in Rays-Orioles nightcap

Sep 23, 2008 - 1:00 PM Tampa Bay at Baltimore (2ND GAME)

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- A pair of rookies making their first start in the majors will face off when the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles meet in the second game of their doubleheader on Tuesday.

Taking the mound for the Rays will be Mitch Talbot (0-0, 12.00 ERA), who posted a 13-9 record with a 2.86 ERA with Class AAA Durham, earning a late-season promotion on September 13.

However, the 24-year-old righthander struggled in his major league debut, allowing four runs and five hits in three innings of relief on September 15. Talbot walked three and stuck out two as the Rays stumbled to a 13-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Fellow rookie, Alfredo Simon (0-0, 8.10) makes his first start for the Orioles in place of the injured Jeremy Guthrie. Baltimore's ace, Guthrie hasn't pitched since August 29 and was put on the 15-day disabled list September 15 with a right shoulder impingement.

Simon has made a pair of relief appearances since being recalled from Class AAA Norfolk on September 5. After surrendering three runs in 1 2/3 innings against the Oakland Athletics on September 6, the 27-year-old righthander improved in his last outing. He allowed two hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings during Baltimore's 12-2 loss against the Minnesota Twins on September 13.