Orioles blank Rays, 1-0, still in race for 1st place

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Davis blasted a fourth-inning homerun and starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez and three Orioles relievers blanked the Tampa Bay Rays, 1-0.

The first-place New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox, 4-3, on Tuesday night in the Bronx. If the Orioles win Wednesday and the Yankees lose, the teams would tie for first. In that event, the O's would host a one-game playoff against the Yankees at Camden Yards on Thursday.

The homer by Davis, his 33rd of the season, was one of only two hits the O's managed off Rays starter James Shields (15-10), who struck out 15 while pitching a complete game. The O's Gonzalez also gave up only two hits and struck out seven in six 1/3 innings. O's pitchers Brian Matusz, Darren O'Day and Jim Johnson did not allow a hit in relief.