The Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays enter game three of their season-opening series. The Orioles blew away a 4-0 lead during Wednesday game, leading to Matt Joyce knocking out the game winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Rays won 8-7. The dramatic win gave each team one win a piece in the series. That sort of resilience is what had both teams so successful in 2012, something they hope to continue in 2013.
Tampa Bay has won at least 90 games in the last three consecutive seasons, despite missing the postseason all three years. Baltimore won 93 games last season to earn an AL wild-card spot, snapping a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons.
Tampa Bay looked strong in their first win of the season. Ben Zobrist has four hits in the last two games, while Desmond Jennings is 4 for 8 with two doubles in the opening two games. Roberto Hernandez will get the start for the Rays. He signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay, earning the final spot in the starting rotation. He went 0-2 with a 5.33 ERA in his seven spring training games. Hernandez went 0-3 for the Cleveland Indians with 7.53 ERA before being suspended for age and identity fraud. He played for Cleveland in 2007, winning 19 games for the team.
Baltimore is starting the season with a number of starting pitchers on the disabled list. Miguel Gonzalez will get the start for the team. he was highly active in the minor leagues, before earning a starting spot in the Orioles rotation in 2012. He started 15 games for the team, registering a 3.25 ERA while giving up 13 home runs. Rays' first baseman Chris Davis is having a strong start to the season. He went 4 for 4 in the game on Wednesday with four RBI. He also homered in his second straight game. Davis his home runs in eight of his last nine games of the season last year, hitting four of five at home. The team hopes he continues the momentum deep into the season.