Orioles 8, Rays 4
Nick Markakis led a balanced attack with a two-run homer as the Baltimore Orioles victimized James Shields once again on the way to an 8-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.
The Orioles, who beat Shields 5-0 on Aug. 13, had another big day at the plate against the Rays’ all-time wins leader. Baltimore chased Shields (13-12) after 4 1/3 innings, putting up six runs on eight hits before he got the hook.
The loss dropped the Rays 2 1/2 games back of the New York Yankees in the American League East race. The Yankees downed Toronto 7-5 earlier Saturday.
Jeremy Guthrie (9-13) took full advantage of the run support, allowing two earned runs over seven innings while striking out seven.
Baltimore’s normally anemic offense pounded out 15 hits, and six different Orioles had at least two hits.
Markakis hit his ninth homer of the year, while Luke Scott continued his strong season with two more hits and his team-leading 63rd RBI of the year.
Tampa Bay’s John Jaso hit his fifth home run of the year off Guthrie in the first inning, while Matt Joyce and Brian Hawpe hit back-to-back home runs off Koji Uehara in the ninth.