Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Jeremy Hellickson pitched into the seventh
inning to record his first win in more than two months, as the Rays held off
the Baltimore Orioles, 3-1, in the opener of a three-game series.
Brooks Conrad belted the go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth inning for the
Rays, who opened their nine-game road trip by snapping a two-game skid. Jeff
Keppinger added an RBI single in the sixth.
Hellickson (5-6), who had lost his previous six decisions covering a span of
nine starts, allowed three hits, including a homer to Adam Jones in the fourth
inning. The right-hander didn't walk a batter and had four strikeouts to post
his first triumph since May 16 against Boston.
The Orioles, who had just three hits and have lost two in a row, continued
their woes at the plate, especially in clutch opportunities. They went 0-for-4
with men in scoring position and are batting .144 (14-for-97) in such
situations in their last 14 games.
Wei-Yin Chen (8-6) allowed four hits and three runs over 6 2/3 innings and has
lost four of his last five decisions.
Fernando Rodney walked J.J. Hardy and Jim Thome with one out in the ninth, but
Adam Jones and Matt Wieters both struck out. Rodney secured his 28th save and
lowered his ERA to 0.81.
The Sports Network