Rays use three homers to top O's, 3-1

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

April 04, 2010, 5:34pm

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Chris Tillman allowed three solo homers and took his first Major League loss as Tampa Bay beat the Birds 3-1 Wednesday night to take the first two games of this series. Pat Burrell homered in the 4th, Ben Zobrist in the 6th and B.J. Upton took Tillman deep leading off the 7th. Tillman, now 1-1, 4.80, gave up seven hits and three runs over six innings. He threw 101 pitches and his ERA over his last three starts is 3.72.

Jim and Buck interview Dave Trembley after the O's 3-1 loss to the Rays

Winning pitcher Jeff Niemann is now 11-5, 3.71. He gave up just one run through 7 1/3 innings. Over his last 16 starts, the rookie is 9-2, 3.18. Brian Roberts' solo homer in the 8th, his 11th homer of the year, plated the O's only run. Nick Markakis went 0 for 4 snapping his 11-game batting streak and his streak of reaching base safely in 38 consecutive games. The O's loaded the bases with no outs in the 5th but did not score. The O's are 0-2 on this nine-game road trip and 18-41 on the road on the season. Balt.....1-7-0 TB......3-8-0