Orioles 4, Rays 0

Brian Matusz tossed seven shutout innings and the visiting Baltimore Orioles prevented the Tampa Bay Rays from clinching a playoff spot with a 4-0 victory on Monday night.

Nick Markakis had two hits and two RBIs as the Orioles won the opener of the three-game series behind a dominating performance by Matusz.

The Rays maintained their half-game lead in the American League East as the New York Yankees lost in Toronto.

Matusz (9-12) extended his winning streak to five games by allowing three hits - all singles - while striking out eight and walking two.

Rays starter Wade Davis (12-10) had his seven-game winning streak snapped. He was charged with three runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings in losing for the first time since June 27.

Markakis tripled in a run off Davis in the fifth, just his second hit off Davis in 17 at-bats. He added a single in Baltimore's three-run seventh.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria sat out his fourth consecutive game with a strained quad.

Final1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9thRHE
Baltimore OriolesOrioles000010300491
Tampa Bay RaysRays000000000031
WP:
LP:
Season Series
Tampa BayStatsBaltimore
11-7Vs7-11
.256Batting Average.247
4.8Runs / Game3.8
24Home Runs19
9Errors8