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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
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| Vaughn |
BALTIMORE (AP) – Larry Rothschild knew it was only a matter of
time before his team started hitting again.
Tampa Bay's manager can only hope he doesn't have to wait
another 11 days for the next eruption.
Greg Vaughn went 4-for-5 with two home runs, and Fred McGriff
and John Flaherty also homered as the Devil Rays beat Baltimore 7-4
Sunday.
The Devil Rays came in with a .217 batting average and had
scored only 20 runs in nine games since April 4.
On this day, however, Tampa Bay took a 3-0 lead after eight
pitches and put together a 13-hit attack that included four homers
and two doubles. Vaughn, who added 68 points to his .211 batting
average, led the way.
"Today is a product of what he had been doing and a direct
product of what we're capable of doing," Rothschild said. "The
swings were better throughout the lineup. You had a feeling we
could score runs in any inning."
Vaughn's four hits – two homers and two singles – matched a
career high. He was more excited about finally seeing the Devil
Rays play up to their potential.
"I just think the guys are starting to feel a little more
comfortable," he said. "Today was a good day totally for the
team. All aspects were good."
After bolting to an early lead, the Devil Rays didn't score
again until Flaherty connected after a walk to Russ Johnson to make
it 5-3 in the seventh. Vaughn added a solo shot in the eighth to
ice Tampa Bay's third win in 11 games since Opening Day.
Greg Myers and Jerry Hairston homered for the Orioles, who had
only one home run in their first 11 games this season. Myers went
3-for-4 with three RBI, but Baltimore's rare offensive outburst
was overshadowed by the Devil Rays' overdue power surge.
"They came out swinging," said Mike Bordick, who had three of
the Orioles' nine hits. "They really have a dangerous lineup.
That's one thing that's been overlooked. They have some really good
hitters."
Baltimore starter Sidney Ponson yielded three of the Devil Rays'
four homers. The right-hander has given up six home runs in 17 2-3
innings and has absorbed three of the Orioles' seven defeats.
After allowing first-inning homers to Vaughn and McGriff, Ponson
(0-3) permitted only three hits over the next five innings. But
Flaherty ended the run in the seventh with his first homer of the
season.
"Every pitcher's objective is to keep the ball in the park,"
Ponson said. "These guys have bats in their hands, and the first
thing they do is try to go deep. If I make quality pitches, I get
outs. But I'm not making quality pitches right now."
Myers singled in a run in the Baltimore eighth and Gerald
Williams hit an RBI single in the ninth for the Devil Rays.
"We're not swinging well, but we're working hard," Flaherty
said. "It hasn't clicked yet, but it will come. Today was a good
sign."
Doug Creek (1-0) pitched two innings and Esteban Yan worked the
ninth for the Devil Rays' first save of the year.
Williams opened the game with a double on the first pitch from
Ponson and scored on Vaughn's second homer of the season. Three
pitches later, McGriff hit a drive into the right-field seats.
Baltimore got a run in the second on an RBI single by Myers,
then pulled even in the fourth on solo shots by Myers and
Hairston.
Game notes
Orioles starters are 0-6 this season. ... Baltimore manager
Mike Hargrove was ejected before the ninth for arguing balls and
strikes. ... Tampa Bay has 21 wins against Baltimore, the most
against any opponent. ... Tampa Bay's Ben Grieve went 0-for-4 and
is mired in a 1-for-27 skid.
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RECAPS
Boston 5
NY Yankees 4
Cleveland 0
Detroit 0
Kansas City 4
Toronto 2
Tampa Bay 7
Baltimore 4
Minnesota 4
Chi. White Sox 3
Seattle 7
Anaheim 5
Texas 10
Oakland 8
Atlanta 3
Philadelphia 0
Cincinnati 3
NY Mets 1
Florida 6
Montreal 3
Milwaukee 7
San Francisco 4
Chicago Cubs 5
Pittsburgh 1
Colorado 10
Arizona 7
St. Louis 6
Houston 5
Los Angeles 5
San Diego 4
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