Five Rays pitchers combine to shut out Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays won a road game on their home field.

Alex Colome and four relievers combined on a four-hitter, and the Rays beat Baltimore 2-0 Friday night in a relocated home game for the Orioles.

Colome (1-0), reinstated from the 15-day disabled list before the game, allowed three hits and struck out six over five innings in his season debut. The right-hander was hospitalized during spring training with pneumonia.

"Everyday I worked hard to be good today," Colome said. "It's a nice day for me."

The three-game series was moved from Camden Yards to Tropicana Field this week after rioting broke out in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody after suffering a spinal cord injury.

"It might seem strange, but once the game starts they're doing something they've done their whole lives," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "We pitched real well. They just pitched a little better."

The announced crowd was 9,945. The Rays are averaging 17,545 in home attendance this season.

"It was pretty even fan-wise," Loney said.

Brandon Gomes, Steve Geltz, Kevin Jepsen and Brad Boxberger, who pitched the ninth for his sixth save, all threw an inning.

Chris Tillman (2-3) retired his first 11 batters before a two-out walk in the fourth to Asdrubal Cabrera, who scored on Evan Longoria's double. James Loney made it 2-0 on a single that drove in Longoria.

Tillman gave up two runs and three hits in seven innings. He had seven strikeouts and two walks.

"It's weird taking the field first on the road," Tillman said. "Other than that, I didn't feel anything different."

The Orioles batted last in the game, and general admission tickets were sold for the lower bowl.

"It felt pretty normal," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I definitely didn't forget we were the road team at any point, so I'm happy about that."

Mascots from both teams entertained the crowd, which included a nice gathering of Orioles fans behind Baltimore's dugout on the third base side.

Baltimore won two of three from the Rays in their season-opening series last month at Tampa Bay.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rays: CF Desmond Jennings (left knee) is expected to start Saturday. ... Tampa Bay closer Jake McGee (back stiffness) won't be ready to return next week from his rehab assignment.

Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy (left shoulder) and INF Ryan Flaherty (groin) could start rehab assignments Monday with Class A Bowie.

MOVING DAY

Rays: LHP Everett Teaford accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham. ... RHP Grant Balfour, released by Tampa Bay on April 29, signed a minor league deal.

Orioles: Steve Pearce made his first professional start at second base.

"I know I can do it," said Pearce, who is from nearby Lakeland, Fla.

He had two errorless chances.

EVEN MATCH

This was the 300th game between the teams. Both have won 150.

UP NEXT

Orioles RHP Miguel Gonzalez (2-1, 3.42 ERA) faces Rays RHP Chris Archer (3-2, 0.84) on Saturday night. Archer is 1-3 with a 5.58 ERA in six games, including five starts, against Baltimore.