Pitching
The Orioles saw 6 strong no-hit innings from Chris Tillman. He may have gone longer had his pitch count not been at 101. Jeremy Accardo came in to pitch a lights out 7th inning. Mike Gonzalez, however, was less than stellar. He allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks, pitching only 1/3 of an inning. Koji Uehara came in to relieve him, holding the Rays to no runs on 1 hit through the remaining 2/3 of the 8th. As always, the last inning was a bit of a scare. After recording the first two outs, Kevin Gregg gave up 1 hit and 1 walk, leaving runners on first and second. Then Ben Zobrist hit what appeared to be a game-tying double, but Nick Markakis made a fantastic leaping catch, ending the game, and saving the win for the Orioles. Markakis' catch was later recognized as the #1 play of the night on Sportscenter's "Top 10 Plays."
Hitting
Not an explosive night, but the Orioles managed 3 runs, which proved to be enough. Brian Roberts continued putting up numbers, hitting a bomb and driving in all 3 runs of the night. Luke Scott and Adam Jones were both hitless for the second straight game, leaving a combined 4 runners on base. Hopefully they pick up the pace soon.
Defense
Nick Markakis' phenomenal catch put this game on the map. His catch saved 2 runs (if not 3) from scoring, and put him on Sportscenter's "Top 10" as the #1 play of the night!
Preview
Today at 1:40 PM EST, Orioles top prospect Zach Britton will be taking the mound at the Trop. Britton was originally scheduled to be a late April call up (to push back his service time), but due to Brian Matusz's injury, the Orioles had no choice but to call up their top prospect. Britton was lights-out in Spring Training, posting a 3-0 record and a flashy 1.35 ERA in 20 innings pitched. Hopefully Britton brings those numbers to the mound with him today, and gets us a road sweep to kick off the season.
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