Orioles 7, Rays 0
Nick Markakis knocked in six runs, capped by his third career grand slam, and Jake Arrieta pitched seven shutout innings as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 7-0 Friday night.
Markakis, who had just six hits in his previous 45 at bats, belted the first pitch he saw from losing pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (7-4) over the right-field wall with two outs in the second inning for a 5-0 lead. It was his first extra-base hit in 89 at bats, the last coming on a solo home run against the Rays on May 15. Markakis added a two-run double in the eighth.
J.J. Hardy also homered in the first inning for the Orioles, who have won four straight.
The seven shutout innings in a start was a career high for Arrieta (8-3), who gave up two hits – both in the sixth inning.
Hellickson, the American League pitcher of the month in May, had given up just six earned runs in his previous six starts. He allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings Friday.
Rays outfielder Matt Joyce, batting .338, was held out of the lineup due to lingering soreness in his left shoulder after being injected with a cortisone shot Thursday. He is expected to play Saturday.
The game was delayed for one hour and eight minutes by inclement weather.