Gross Hits 2-Run Homer in Rays' Win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Gabe Gross hit a two-run homer, and Pat Burrell and B.J. Upton added solo shots to lead the Tampa Bay Rays past the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 on Tuesday night.

Gross gave Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead with his fourth-inning drive. Burrell and Upton homered in the sixth to make it 5-2.

Gross homered for the first time since July 22, and has two homers in his last 33 games. Upton's last homer came on June 30, and the center fielder has eight RBIs over his past 38 games.

Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon arrived at the ballpark with his silver hair dyed black in preparation for next week's Johnny Cash-theme road trip, and in an attempt to keep his team loose. The Rays started Tuesday four games behind AL wild-card leader Texas.

Baltimore got a two-run homer from Matt Wieters. The Orioles are 8-23 since the All-Star break and dropped to a season-high 23 games under .500 (48-71).

Rays left-hander David Price (6-5) threw 102 pitches in five innings, allowing two runs and seven hits. J.P. Howell pitched the ninth for his 13th save.

Baltimore starter Jason Berken (2-11) gave up five runs and 11 hits in 5 2-3 innings.

The Orioles took a 2-1 lead in the third on run-scoring singles by Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold. Wieters' fourth homer of the season, and first since July 5, pulled Baltimore within 5-4 in the eighth.

Wieters struck out with runners on first and second and two outs in the ninth.

Upton put the Rays ahead 1-0 with an infield RBI single in the second.

Baltimore's Nick Markakis reached base for the 38th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the majors, when he singled in the second. It gave him an 11-game hitting streak.