Tampa Bay Rays V Baltimore Orioles Live Streaming MLB Feed Online Radio Commentry Audio HighQuality Sopcast TBS, May 6, 2011. Game Preview: The Tampa Bay Rays are a better team now than when they faced the Baltimore Orioles to open the season.
Tampa Bay (17-14) scored three runs in three games while being swept by Baltimore at home to begin 2011. The Rays then went on to lose their next three before regrouping to win 17 of 25.
They concluded a 3-3 homestand by taking two of three from Toronto, winning 3-1 on Thursday. David Price pitched into the ninth inning and Johnny Damon had two hits to reach 2,600 for his career.
7:05 PM ET, May 6, 2011
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
Damon, who went 0 for 8 against the Orioles last month, is batting .308 since starting 1 for 19.
Though the Rays have dropped four straight and seven of eight against Baltimore (14-16), they've won seven of eight overall on the road. Tampa Bay outscored Minnesota 29-6 to sweep its last three-game road series April 27-28.
Tampa Bay, however, could have a tough time continuing that offensive road success against Britton (5-1, 2.63 ERA), who can join the Angels' Jered Weaver with six wins.
The left-hander allowed a run and three hits in six innings of a 5-1 win over the Rays in his major league debut April 3.
"The Orioles have pitched well against us," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
Britton has won three straight starts and allowed a run with five hits in six innings in each of the last two. He left his most recent outing at Chicago on Sunday to have a callus removed.
"It's not a huge deal," Britton said. "It is something I get from the way I throw my sinker. It's not really an issue."
The Rays counter with James Shields (2-1, 2.14), who dropped his third straight start against the Orioles despite giving up two runs, four hits and striking out seven in 7 1/3 innings of a 3-1 loss April 2.
He's been fortunate since then, helping the Rays win each of his last five starts. Shields has allowed four runs and struck out 32 in 33 innings to go 2-0 in his last four outings. The right-hander fell one inning shy of a third straight complete game when he gave up a run and struck out 12 in a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Angels on Saturday.
"He's throwing the ball really well, so I can call almost anything and he can execute it," catcher Kelly Shoppach told the Rays' official website.
Shields is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA in nine starts at Baltimore, but he's allowed 10 runs and 16 hits in his last 10 2/3 innings there.
Batting .304 with two homers against Shields, Nick Markakis had two of Baltimore's five hits in a 9-1 loss at Kansas City on Thursday.
The Orioles dropped three of four after opening a seven-game trip with three straight wins.
Markakis is batting .225, but he's 6 for 18 over the last four games.
RaysThe Rays will try for a sixth consecutive road victory Friday night against the Orioles, who send rookie Zach Britton to the mound looking to become the majors' second six-game winner.
(17-14, 8-4 away)
Orioles
(14-16, 7-8 home)
Tampa Bay (17-14) scored three runs in three games while being swept by Baltimore at home to begin 2011. The Rays then went on to lose their next three before regrouping to win 17 of 25.
They concluded a 3-3 homestand by taking two of three from Toronto, winning 3-1 on Thursday. David Price pitched into the ninth inning and Johnny Damon had two hits to reach 2,600 for his career.
7:05 PM ET, May 6, 2011
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
Pitching Matchup
| Tampa Bay | Baltimore | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | James Shields 2-1, 2.14 ERA Last appearance: 4/30 vs LAA 8.0 IP, 1 ER Dec = ND |  | Zach Britton 5-1, 2.63 ERA Last appearance: 5/01 at CHW 6.0 IP, 1 ER Dec = Win |
Damon, who went 0 for 8 against the Orioles last month, is batting .308 since starting 1 for 19.
Though the Rays have dropped four straight and seven of eight against Baltimore (14-16), they've won seven of eight overall on the road. Tampa Bay outscored Minnesota 29-6 to sweep its last three-game road series April 27-28.
Tampa Bay, however, could have a tough time continuing that offensive road success against Britton (5-1, 2.63 ERA), who can join the Angels' Jered Weaver with six wins.
The left-hander allowed a run and three hits in six innings of a 5-1 win over the Rays in his major league debut April 3.
"The Orioles have pitched well against us," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
Britton has won three straight starts and allowed a run with five hits in six innings in each of the last two. He left his most recent outing at Chicago on Sunday to have a callus removed.
"It's not a huge deal," Britton said. "It is something I get from the way I throw my sinker. It's not really an issue."
The Rays counter with James Shields (2-1, 2.14), who dropped his third straight start against the Orioles despite giving up two runs, four hits and striking out seven in 7 1/3 innings of a 3-1 loss April 2.
He's been fortunate since then, helping the Rays win each of his last five starts. Shields has allowed four runs and struck out 32 in 33 innings to go 2-0 in his last four outings. The right-hander fell one inning shy of a third straight complete game when he gave up a run and struck out 12 in a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Angels on Saturday.
"He's throwing the ball really well, so I can call almost anything and he can execute it," catcher Kelly Shoppach told the Rays' official website.
Shields is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA in nine starts at Baltimore, but he's allowed 10 runs and 16 hits in his last 10 2/3 innings there.
Batting .304 with two homers against Shields, Nick Markakis had two of Baltimore's five hits in a 9-1 loss at Kansas City on Thursday.
The Orioles dropped three of four after opening a seven-game trip with three straight wins.
Markakis is batting .225, but he's 6 for 18 over the last four games.
