Pitching clinic lifts Rays to avoid sweep - Rays 2, Orioles 1

After back-to-back losses, the Rays avoided the sweep against the first-place Orioles. The Rays closed out the season series against the O’s at Tropicana Field as they lost 5 of the 6 games played. To salvage a win, Springs and the bullpen combined for a dominating outing against the red-hot Orioles offense.

Both starting pitchers worked around their respective lineups in the first three innings. Two doubles from the Lowe’s were the only offensive showing in the first three innings; however, the Rays couldn’t connect with runners in scoring position (RISP counter 0-4).

Albert Suarez fed a steady dose of 95 MPH fastballs on the upper third of the zone that kept the Rays’ offense silent. On the…