Orioles Beat Rays 5-1 For First Series Sweep Since 2018
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Monday, August 3, 2020
DAVID GINSBURG, Affiliated Push
Hanser Alberto doubled in the tiebreaking operate in the seventh inning, Renato Núñez and Pat Valaika homered, and the Baltimore Orioles beat Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 Sunday to entire a a few-video game sweep.
After the last out, the Orioles celebrated (with suitable social distancing) their to start with collection sweep since Aug. 27-29, 2018, in opposition to Toronto, and to start with in opposition to Tampa Bay since 2016.
“It’s even now serious early in the time, but we beat a good club,” manager Brandon Hyde reported. “Very satisfied with the sweep, for absolutely sure.”
For a staff coming off successive a hundred-decline seasons, there’s no downplaying the sensation of getting a few in a row from a club that went to the playoffs past 12 months.
“It’s big at any time you can get a sweep, no make any difference how typically it arrives or how typically it does not arrive,” Orioles starter Tommy Milone reported. “I reported ahead of the time started off that we’re likely to shock some men and women, and we’re doing that ideal now.”
Brandon Lowe homered for the Rays, who have dropped five straight to tumble two video games beneath .500 (4-six) for the to start with time since June 28, 2018 (39-41).
Tampa Bay scored only 8 operates in the collection. It experienced all types of problems over the weekend striving to hit the off-velocity pitches from Wade LeBlanc and Milone.
“Our solution can certainly be superior,” manager Kevin Money reported. “We just have to arrive with each other a small superior as a team.”
With the rating 1-all in the seventh, Cedric Mullins achieved on a bunt in opposition to Jalen Beeks (-1). Chaz Roe entered and Mullins stole 2nd ahead of Alberto hit an opposite-subject liner to ideal. Núñez adopted with an RBI one, and José Iglesias added a operate-scoring double into the still left-subject corner.
Valaika manufactured it 5-1 with a solo shot in the eighth.
“Things are happening really good for us,” Núñez reported. “Pitchers are throwing really good — starters, relievers. Everybody’s swinging the bat effectively. We’re bonding.”
Evan Phillips (1-) pitched the seventh to generate his to start with main league get, and Cole Sulser picked up his 3rd help save as section of a Baltimore bullpen that held the Rays hitless over 4 innings.
“Just some negative situational hitting,” Tampa Bay outfielder Hunter Renfroe reported. “We’ve received a working day off tomorrow, so we’ll get a breather and get our ft back beneath us.”
Tampa Bay starter Yonny Chirinos permitted one particular operate and 4 hits over 4 two/3 innings, the lone glaring flaw a travel by Núñez in the 3rd. That’s the only earned operate Chirinos has offered up this time, leaving him with a 1.04 Period in two begins.
The Rays trailed 1- when Lowe led off the sixth with a travel to heart that chased Milone.
Employing a assortment of off-velocity pitches, Milone struck out 8 and permitted six hits. It was a vast advancement on his opening-working day functionality, when the lefty gave up 4 operates in a few innings in opposition to Boston in his Orioles debut.
WHIFFS
Orioles pitchers struck out 10 to established a new club file of five straight video games with at the very least 10 strikeouts.
Sound OF SILENCE
The Orioles gained Saturday night’s video game on a one in the base of the eleventh, a scenario that in standard moments would be marked by the roar of the group and a palms-on celebration in the dugout.
None of that took place, of class, simply because the stadium was empty and the gamers are effectively informed of baseball’s emphasis on social distancing.
“Usually in that form of circumstance the group goes nuts, our staff is likely nuts, we’re large-fiving in all places in the dugout. A whole lot of constructive emotion is likely on,” Hyde reported. “To not know what to do with your palms was unquestionably odd. It’s challenging. I’m looking ahead to the working day when the group goes ridiculous once again.”
Rays: C Kevan Smith was anticipated to rejoin the staff right after staying put on the COVID-19 injury checklist as a precaution Saturday simply because he was going through indicators regardless of not testing constructive. “Credit to him for coming ahead,” Money reported Sunday morning. “He’s high-quality. He experienced two negatives, and we’re waiting for clearance.”
Orioles: 1B Chris Davis (knee soreness) and Iglesias (sore still left quad) were not in the beginning lineup.
UP Up coming
Rays: Adhering to a working day off, ideal-hander Charlie Morton (-, eight.00 Period) gets the ball when Tampa Bay visits the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
Orioles: Off Monday ahead of internet hosting Miami on Tuesday night to start a 4-video game, a few-working day collection — if the Marlins have entirely recovered from their COVID-19 outbreak.
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