Miguel Gonzalez shines as Baltimore Orioles shutout Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 – MLB Update
Baltimore Orioles showed great determination and temperament as they shut-out the inform Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Tuesday, October 2 in second game of their three match series.
Rays secured a comprehensive win in series opener and they were looking to continue the good work in Game 2 to take an impassable 2-0 series lead but Baltimore had other ideas. Orioles’ pitching rotation, in particular, deserves a lot of credit.
Starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez led from the front as he pitched six plus shut-out innings to play a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash. Striking-out seven batters, Gonzalez showed the stuff he is capable of.
With his win, the starter also improved his record to 9-4 and it will be interesting to see if he can carry over his excellent form into the post-season to help Orioles make it to the World Series finals.
Relief pitchers Brian Matusz, Darren O’Day and Jim Johnson also pitched with great control and accuracy, tossing up 2.2 scoreless innings.
"We're not supposed to be here. So just go out and have fun and see what happens," closer Jim Johnson said.
"You have to win those games," he added. "If you're able to keep it close, you just try to find a way."
Chris Davis scored the only run of the game as he smacked a solo home-run to centre in the fourth inning to give Orioles a decisive 1-0 lead. Twins, on the other hand, had several opportunities to put Orioles under pressure but it seemed luck was not on
their side on Tuesday evening.
"It kind of blows my mind to even be mentioned in the same breath as Reggie, but it's more about the win than anything else," Davis said. "I'm kind of glad to be the guy that's coming through in this situation, but as long as we get the win I don't care."
Orioles, which have already made it to the playoffs, will be looking to put up a similar show in the finale to end the season on a winning note.
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