BALTIMORE — Zack Littell and 4 relievers mixed on a five-hit shutout, Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run homer and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-0 on Sunday.
Littell and Corbin Burnes had been locked in a scoreless duel till the sixth inning, when DeLuca adopted a leadoff stroll together with his sixth dwelling run in 289 at-bats this season, a drive to left that hardly cleared the wall.
“That 1-1 slider wasn’t a foul pitch,” Burnes insisted. “He sort of went down and received it and put a very good swing on it. That’s the distinction at the moment.”
That was sufficient to outdo a struggling Baltimore offense that scored solely three runs within the three-game collection.
“I’m very inspired concerning the pitching and the protection,” Rays supervisor Kevin Money mentioned. “To have the ability to come away with two wins in a three-game set, we’ve received to be happy.”
Particularly the best way issues have gone these days. It’s the Rays’ first collection win on the street since early August and the primary time they received a collection in Baltimore since Aug. 27-29, 2021.
The Orioles, in the meantime, are locked in a duel with the New York Yankees for the highest spot within the AL East. After taking two of three from the stumbling White Sox, Baltimore couldn’t maintain the momentum towards the sub-.500 Rays.
“We sort of go in stretches the place it appears to be like like we’re popping out of it,” Burnes mentioned. “Two steps ahead, one step again. However we’re nonetheless proper there within the hunt. We all know we’re going to be a postseason staff.”
Littell (6-9) was lifted after issuing a leadoff stroll within the sixth. The precise-hander gave up three hits and permitted solely two runners previous first base.
Edwin Uceta struck out Eloy Jiménez and Anthony Santander with two runners on within the eighth, then labored the ninth to earn his second save.
“Enormous efficiency,” Money mentioned of Uceta, who struck out Coby Mayo with two on to finish it.
Baltimore went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring place and stranded 9 runners.
“We’re having a troublesome time proper now, particularly with runners in scoring place,” Santander conceded.
Burnes (13-8) allowed two runs and 7 hits over six innings. The 2024 AL All-Star starter is 1-4 in his final 5 begins.
Burnes allowed three stolen bases, together with a double-steal, to up his complete this season to a significant league excessive 41 — most in Orioles historical past.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: LH Jeffrey Springs (left elbow fatigue) was positioned on the 15-day IL. Springs made seven begins after being sidelined from March to the top of July whereas recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure. “It’s in all probability fatigue from coming again and lacking a while,” Money mentioned. “Will he come again this 12 months? I really feel it’s unlikely.” … 2B Brandon Lowe (finger) missed a 3rd straight recreation. … Leadoff hitter Yandy Díaz received the day without work. “We’re going to be managing the workload on his knee,” Money mentioned.
Orioles: RH Jacob Webb (elbow) is slated for a rehabilitation stint with triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. RH Danny Coulombe (elbow) begins a rehab task with Norfolk on Wednesday.
UP NEXT
Rays: Tampa Bay continues its 10-game street journey in Philadelphia on Monday evening.
Orioles: Rookie Chad Povich (2-7, 5.76 ERA) begins towards Boston at Fenway Park on Monday evening.
