4 months ago
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Chris Waters allowed one run over five innings in his first start of the season and the Baltimore Orioles stopped a 13-game losing streak by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Thursday night.
The skid was the longest in the majors this season and the third-worst in Orioles history. Baltimore dropped 14 consecutive games in August 1954 and opened the 1988 season by losing 21 straight.
Waters (1-0), making his 12th career start and first since Sept. 26, 2008, gave up two hits, three walks and struck out two. The left-hander has four appearances out of the bullpen this year, posting an 8.10 ERA.
Ben Zobrist hit his 27th homer for the Rays. Matt Garza (8-12) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.
Baltimore finished with a road record of 25-56 this season, the third-lowest win total in franchise history.
Nick Markakis put the Orioles ahead with a run-scoring single in the first. He has eight RBIs over his last 25 games.
Baltimore took a 3-0 lead in the fourth on RBI singles by Melvin Mora and Jeff Fiorentino.
Zobrist's homer made it 3-1 in the fourth. He has seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 16 games against Baltimore this year.
Orioles relievers Cla Meredith, Alberto Castillo and Danys Baez combined for three scoreless innings before Jim Johnson, who gave up a sacrifice fly to Pat Burrell, got three outs for his ninth save.
Tampa Bay fell to 50-28 at home. The defending AL champions close the season with three home games against the AL East champion New York Yankees beginning Friday night.
NOTES: Orioles LF Luke Scott (sore left foot) didn't play. There is a chance he might return before the season ends. ... Tampa Bay 1B Willy Aybar swiped third in the second inning for his first stolen base of the season. He has seven steals overall in 302 career games. ... Baltimore has allowed 212 homers this season.
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