Monday, 3 a.m.
No pitcher criticizes his offense out loud. Still, if you throw for the Tampa Bay Rays, you are aware you can’t afford a lot of mistakes.
Sunday, the Rays didn’t make any.
Five pitchers for the Rays combined for a 2-0 shutout win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, a game that won the series and brought the team within a game of .500. Granted, .500 isn’t a lot to brag about, but when a team hits as poorly as the Rays, it’s a notable achievement.
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Zack Littell went five innings and allowed just three hits. Richard Lovelady, Kevin Kelley, Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta went the final four innings - allowing just two more hits — to preserve the shutout.
Jonny DeLuca hit a two-run homer in the sixth to provide the game’s only runs. That foiled the day for Orioles’ starter Corbin Burnes, who allowed just seven hits.
DeLuca and Jose Caballero each had two hits.
The Rays visit the Phillies tonight at 6:40 p.m. Cole Sulser is expected to start for the Rays against Cristopher Sanchez.