ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brian Matusz pitched seven sharp innings and Nick Markakis drove in two runs with a triple and single, leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-0 victory over the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Matusz (9-12) allowed three hits, two of them infield singles. The rookie walked one, hit a batter with a pitch and matched a career high with eight strikeouts before being replaced by Jim Johnson.
The Rays’ magic number to clinch their second playoff berth in three years remained at one. They retained a half-game lead in the division over the New York Yankees, who lost 7-5 in Toronto. The potential clincher drew a crowd of just 12,446 to Tropicana Field — well below the 23,047 Tampa Bay has averaged this season.
