Orioles Sweep Tampa in Rain-Shortened Series

Apr 16, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder

singles in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Game 14 – Tampa Bay Rays 0 (7-8) Baltimore Orioles (7-7) 3 F

W: Miguel Gonzalez (1-1)

L: Jake Odorizzi (1-2)

S: Tommy Hunter (4)

MVP: Nick Markakis 2-4, outstanding defensive play to turn a double play

The GOOD: Once again, a lot more good in this game for the Orioles.  This game featured small ball, as the Orioles took a page out of the Rays’ book.  Adam Jones had an RBI on a ball that barely went halfway down the third baseline on a swinging bunt. He was 2-4, along with Markakis. Chris Davis and Steve Lombardozzi both had hits as well, along with stolen bases.  Matt Wieters had a sacrifice fly that on most days would have been a grand slam. Instead, it was a sacrifice fly, but not only did a runner score, but each of the runners moved up, allowing the Orioles to score another run with the next batter.

Then there is the pitching. Miguel Gonzalez didn’t have any clean innings, but did go five innings leaving up no runs and striking out six.  Gonzo allowed three hits and also walked three people, but he did manage to get the lead hitter out each inning.  He was replaced by Zach Britton, who went three filthy innings, leaving up two hits, walking one and striking out two people.  Britton has now thrown 11 1/3 innings, ERA of 0.00, WHIP of 0.71 and a batting average against of .111.  Oh, and Britton also induced all of his outs via either the strikeout or by getting ground balls. To say Britton has been spectacular this year is an understatement.

The BAD: David Lough.  Hopefully Lough is completely healthy at this point, but his performance at the plate continues to be tough so far this year. He is 4/32 for the season with four strikeouts. Lough did see the most pitches of anyone on the team, but went 0-4 and struck out once. But, Lough played a good center field in place of Adam Jones, who was the DH.  But, the Orioles will take this kind of performance from the entire team every day.

What’s NEXT: The Orioles have yet another off day tomorrow, this one scheduled.  The Orioles then travel to Boston for a four-game weekend series which wraps up on Patriots Day on Monday.  They play at 7:10 on Friday night with Chris Tillman, who is 1-1 with a 0.84 ERA, which is sixth in the league at this point, facing John Lackey who is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA. The Orioles are in the middle of the pack in the AL East at 7-7, while the Red Sox currently sit at 5-9 and last in the division.