The Tampa Bay Rays have signed RHP Kevin Jepsen, who was released by the Minnesota Twins on July 11th.
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J.J. Hardy’s two-run homer in the second inning was enough for the Orioles (53-36), who have won six of seven. It’s easy to look at things that are going wrong and kind of put your finger on them, but you know we’re trying.
Longoria (eight) is just the third third baseman, joining Eddie Mathews (nine) and Scott Rolen (eight) to reach 20 homers in at least eight of their first nine seasons. Bundy of course was the Orioles’ top pick in the first round of the 2011 draft, although to this point has been used in the bullpen (in the big leagues).
“I just have a good feeling about the second half”, Archer said.
But Tillman became the American League’s second 13-game victor as the Orioles won their fourth straight, 2-1 over the Rays to maintain a two-game lead over Boston in the AL East. “We had a couple of opportunities that we should have cashed in on and we didn’t”.
Davis was 2-for-4 in his ninth career multi-homer game, three of which came this season.
The Rays have lost the last four games while holding opponents to four runs or less in each, but they’ve been outscored 14-5 in the four games.
For the season, Tillman is 2-0 with a 3.78 ERA against the Rays – he was 5-9 in his career against Tampa Bay this season, but is pitching well, with a 12-2 overall record and a 3.41 ERA. The 27-year-old yielded five runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings in that outing and is 4-6 with a 4.13 ERA lifetime against the Orioles.
Showalter said Bundy will remain in the rotation. “I’ve got to work on the movement of it and get the two-seamer over the plate and keep the ball down in the zone”.
Splits: Right-handed hitters finished 3-for-21 with a home run and a strikeouts against Moore, while same-sided hitters finished 2-for-5 with a walk. With runners on the corners, Matt Wieters hit an RBI fielder’s choice, beating out the throw to first for what would have been an inning-ending double play.The Rays challenged in the ninth, getting a double from Brad Miller, who advanced to third on a wild pitch. He has already tied the Rays’ second record for a shortstop, set by Julio Lugo in 2003 and Asdrubal Cabrera last season.
Chris Tillman was the difference Saturday night – and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the right-hander has been the difference for the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East race so far this season.
Longoria added a solo shot in the eighth off reliever Odrisamer Despaigne, and the Rays got stellar relief from the bullpen.
Bundy will likely be limited to three or four innings during his first start July 17.
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Rays: INF Steve Pearce (strained right hamstring) started a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte.
