Orioles 6, Rays 2
Chris Davis homered and drove in four in support of Chris Tillman, who pitched strong into the seventh inning to help host Baltimore avoid a three-game sweep.
Adam Jones added a two-run single during a five-run fifth inning and Nick Markakis recorded a pair of hits for the Orioles, who moved back into sole possession of second place in the American League East.
Baltimore finally got to James Shields (8-7) in the fifth, breaking open a scoreless contest when Jones sent a bases-loaded single into the hole between shortstop and third base. Matt Wieters walked to reload the bases and Davis made Shields pay, hammering a changeup the opposite way to the wall in left-center for a bases-clearing double.
Tillman (3-1) went scoreless through six innings and was lifted after surrendering a two-run double to Sam Fuld in the seventh. The 24-year old right-hander was charged with two runs on five hits while walking four and striking out five in six-plus innings.
Shields worked through the sixth, allowing five runs on six hits while walking five and striking out 10. The veteran right-hander has allowed at least four earned runs in six of his last seven starts.
Davis tacked on an insurance run in the seventh, sending a towering solo blast - his 14th - out to center off Burke Badenhop.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Orioles will have a chance to jump back into wild card contention this weekend when they host a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics, who currently hold one of the two wild card spots. … The Rays reportedly intend to bring back 3B Evan Longoria (hamstring) as soon as next week to serve as the designated hitter. … Baltimore recalled LHP Dana Eveland and optioned INF Steve Tolleson to Triple-A on Thursday.