Nate McLouth helps Baltimore Orioles edge Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 – MLB Update
Baltimore Orioles continued their impressive winning streak as they edged the resurging Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland on Wednesday, September 12 in second game of their three match series.
Starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez put up a dominant show, giving up just six hits and two runs in six solid innings. Striking-out four batters, he created all sorts of problems for the Rays’ batting order.
Relief pitchers Darren O’Day, Pedro Strop and Jim Johnson combined to pitch three perfect innings as Baltimore completed a deserving series victory.
After Tampa Bay took an early 1-0 lead, Matt Wieters singled to left in the first inning to put Orioles on the board. Wilson Betemit also made his presence felt with an RBI single to centre in the first inning. However, the star of the show was Nate McLouth,
who delivered the tie breaking single in the bottom of the ninth.
For the Rays, B.J. Upton homered to left in the first inning and left fielder Ben Francisco doubled to deep left in the third inning to level the score 2-2.
"I was trying to get Evan out to be honest, but then when I came up I saw I had no chance," Machado said. "So I did a pump-fake and tried to deke the runner. It was just natural. I just came out and didn't think about it."
"He was smart. I don't know if he would have been able to throw out Evan," J.J. Hardy said. "I know (Longoria) is running a little slow with his hamstring, but for Manny to do what he did, it just shows you how aware he is at 20 years old. I think he's really
impressed me."
Orioles dominated their American League East Division rivals in the series opener and they continued their good work in Game 2 to wrap up a stunning series victory. With their win, Buck Showalter and company managed to preserve their number one status in
the American League East standings table.
Surely, Baltimore will be hoping to maintain their excellent form over the next two weeks to make it to the playoffs after almost a decade.
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