Sunday, 3 a.m.
Is there any doubt left? Any questions?
This year, at least, the Baltimore Orioles are simply better than the Tampa Bay Rays.
The O’s beat them again Saturday night. This time, it was 7-5. It was the eighth time in nine games that Baltimore has beaten the Rays this year. Last year, they were 8-5.
Content beyond this point is for members only.
Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo). Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.
This time, the Rays had a bit of fight to them. Recovering pitcher Drew Rasmussen had a tough start, giving up hits to four of the first five batters he faced and falling behind 3-0. In the fifth, it was 4-0, and Corbin Burnes had a no-hitter going.
In the fifth, however, the Rays made a game of it. The Rays put together four hits and three runs. Josh Lowe scored on an error and Alex Jackson and Jonny DeLuca doubled in runs. In the seventh, a home run by Jose Caballero tied the game.
The Orioles immediately came back, however, scoring three times in the eighth. The big blow was a two-run homer by Ramon Urias. He victimized reliever Colin Poche, who gave up three runs and four hits in two-thirds of an inning.
Caballero had two hits for the Rays.
The Rays and Orioles play again today at 1:40 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Jeffrey Springs will start for the Rays against Albert Suarez.