The Tampa Bay Rays (61-40) defeated the Baltimore Orioles (59-38) 3-0 on Friday night at Tropicana Field. The win snaps the Rays recent losing streak at five, and they rejoin the Orioles atop the AL East standings in a virtual tie.
Zach Eflin (11-5, 3.36) was dominant in this game, pitching seven shutout innings in which he allowed just two hits while eight and walking one. Colin Poche struck out the side in the eighth, before Pete Fairbanks earned his 11th save and completed the shutout in the ninth.
Harold Ramirez drove in the first run in the second, before Isaac Paredes hit a solo homer in the sixth to make it 2-0. Jose Siri added a three-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Rays a 3-0 lead, which would be enough to get the win.
The Rays and Orioles now meet in the third game of the four game series on Saturday afternoon. Rays ace Shane McClanahan is expected to start for the Rays, against Grayson Rodriguez for the Orioles. First pitch Saturday is scheduled for 4:10 PM - Chris Adams-Wall begins pregame coverage at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES