O's-Rays, A Kakes-less Offense

Despite just the one walk, Matt Albers was pretty wild against the Rays (94 pitches, only 57 streikes). Albers did turn in a quality start, going 6 innings and giving up 3 runs on 4 hits. Bob McCrory made his major league debut, and he was wilder. He walked 2 and gave up 2 hits, and threw only 9 of 22 pitches for strikes, while only getting one out. He was taken out with the bases loaded and having already given up a run. Dennis Sarfate came in and faired no better. He let all three of McCrory's runners score, as he gave up 2 walks and 2 hits. He also gave up a run of his own, before getting out of the inning. Sarfate gave up another hit and walked a batter in his following inning, but kept the Rays off the board. Jim Johnson also walked a batter in his inning, but that was it. Combined, they pitchers gave up 8 runs, and the team lost 8-1.

Through all of this, Andy Sonnanstine shut down the O's bats, going 8 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K. Nick Markakis got the day off, and it was very clear how important he is to the offense. Nice job by Adam Jones, who had a line-drive single and walked, and Brian Roberts, who had a couple of hits and drove in the O's only run (Jones).

The Rays and Orioles are once again tied at 15-12, but now it's for second, a half game behind the Red Sox. Not a bad place to be at the end of April, I think.