The Tampa Bay Rays are starting to play much better and the work by pitcher Matt Moore has been one reason why, as the starter improved to 8-0 this season, tying a record with Babe Ruth as the youngest players to start the season with the record.
Moore tied the feat by Ruth from 1917 and won his ninth straight home game to set a franchise record while pitching seven innings with five hits and one run and he now has the chance to go for another in his next start. Like Scott got the winning his with a homerun to break a 1-1 tie, while Matt Joyce also hit a home run.
Moore matched a 1917 start by Babe Ruth as he improved to a Major League-leading 8-0 in the Rays' 3-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. The 23-year-old left-hander's start is the best by a pitcher that young since the 22-year-old Ruth went 8-0 in 1917.
Moore tossed seven innings and allowed just five hits and one run to stay undefeated and win his ninth straight decision, setting a Rays' franchise record. "Historically speaking, it's been wonderful," Rays manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "I like the idea that he knows that he can get better. I love that. The accountability is tremendous."
In Cleveland, Justin Masterson enjoyed his own stellar pitching outing, striking out 11 batters in seven innings to lead the Indians to a 6-0 win over Seattle. The American League Central-leading Indians (25-17) are red-hot, having won 17 of their last 21 games. Masterson (7-2) allowed just three hits to overshadow Mariners ace Felix Hernandez who surrendered all six runs in a loss.
In the National League, Jeff Locke won a pitchers' duel against Lucas Harrell to help Pittsburgh pull out a 1-0 win against the Houston Astros.
Both starters completed seven innings, but Pirates infielder Pedro Alvarez smacked a home run in the fifth inning to provide the difference.
In Philadelphia, the Phillies rallied from a 2-0 deficit with late home runs to defeat Cincinnati 3-2.
After Chase Utley hit an RBI single in the eighth to make it 2-1, Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis blasted back-to-back homers in the ninth to win it for Philadelphia.
(Reuters quotes)
