Rickard's Three-Run Homer Lifts Orioles Over Rays 3-1
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Joey Rickard hit a three-run home run and Chris Tillman gave up two hits in 6 2/3 innings Wednesday night to help the Baltimore Orioles break a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rickard's second home run of the season came off Matt Moore in the fifth inning after Nolan Reimold walked and Jonathan Schoop singled. It was only the third home run in eight games for the Orioles, who have scored just five runs in their last four games.
Tillman (2-1) tied a career high with nine strikeouts. Both of his wins have come against Tampa Bay.
Darren O'Day, Brad Brach and Zach Britton finished for Baltimore, with Britton pitching the ninth for his fifth save.
Moore (1-2) lost his second straight start after going seven starts without a loss, dating to last season. He gave up three runs and three hits and struck out nine in seven innings.
Leadoff singles by Logan Forsythe, Logan Morrison and Evan Longoria were the Rays' only hits until Steve Pearce drove in a run with a two-out, pinch-hit single in the ninth.
The Orioles' Mark Trumbo went 0 for 3 with a walk, ending his 11-game hitting streak, and Manny Machado went 0 for 4 and is now hitless in his last 17 at-bats.
The win was the 1,352nd in the career of Orioles manager Buck Showalter, moving him into a tie with Chuck Tanner for 30th place all-time.
MACHADO'S MISSION
Machado plans to play for the Dominican Republic in next year's World Baseball Classic. "It will be a great time for him," Showalter said. "I'll support any of our guys that want to do it. It's something that's important globally, and our game is very global." Showalter said "it would be an honor" if he is asked in the future to manage in the WBC.
AL EAST FEAST
When their upcoming weekend series against Toronto is completed, the Rays will have played 18 of 24 games against AL East rivals. It will be the Blue Jays' second visit to Tropicana Field. "We're all being tested early on because of the back and forth, playing each other within the division," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: IF-OF Jimmy Paredes (sprained left wrist) went 1 for 4 in his second rehab game and is 1 for 7 overall with Double-A Bowie. He started at third base Tuesday.
Rays: Closer Brad Boxberger (adductor surgery) threw fastballs and changeups during a 27-pitch bullpen session. He could start a minor league rehab assignment in the next couple weeks.
UP NEXT
Orioles: RHP Tyler Wilson (1-0) will get his second start of the season in Thursday's opener of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox in Baltimore. LHP John Danks (0-3) will pitch for the White Sox.
Rays: LHP Drew Smyly (1-2) will pitch Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays and RHP Aaron Sanchez (1-1).
(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
