Rays at Orioles
The Tampa Bay Rays have scored seven runs in an inning three times this season - and the last two have come against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The Rays are expected to welcome another big bat to the lineup on Saturday night as they look to continue their rousing success away from home in the third of a four-game set against the Orioles.
Austin Meadows went deep for the second straight night in Friday's 7-1 win, capping a seven-run frame with a grand slam to give him nine RBIs during a five-game hitting streak. Outfielder Avisail Garcia is expected to be activated off the injured list Saturday and return to the lineup for Tampa Bay, which has won 11 of its last 12 on the road to move atop the wild-card standings. “One hundred percent. One hundred percent ready,” said Garcia, who hit safely in 11 of 13 games before straining his right oblique. Jonathan Villar homered for the third time in five games for the Orioles, who lost their 12th consecutive game to an American League East opponent and were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Tampa Bay), MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Jose Alvarado (1-5, 4.55 ERA) vs. Orioles LH John Means (8-9, 3.75)
Alvarado will make his fifth appearance since coming off the injured list due to a right oblique strain that sidelined him for just over five weeks. While he will serve as the opener, the 24-year-old Venezuelan has not pitched more than one inning since mid-May and has logged three innings in four appearances since his return, striking out five and walking five. Alvarado took the loss versus the Orioles on July 3 when he was pummeled for six runs in two-thirds of an inning.
Means has stumbled badly since earning an All-Star nod, losing his fourth straight start after giving up three runs (two earned) over five innings versus Kansas City on Monday. The 26-year-old rookie failed to get through four innings in each of his three previous starts and is 1-5 with a 7.48 ERA since the break. Garcia is 4-for-7 against Means, who beat the Rays with two scoreless innings of relief in April and tossed seven innings of three-run ball in a no-decision on July 3.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay is a season-high 22 games above .500 after improving to 10-4 against Baltimore.
2. Orioles 1B Chris Davis was hitless in three at-bats and is 2-for-27 over his last 11 games.
3. Rays LF Tommy Pham left Friday's game with a jammed wrist but is not expected to miss any time.