Chris Davis 4-for-4 in Oriole Loss to Rays; Gio Gonzalez Homers for Nats, Blanks Marlins

Players of the Day for Wednesday, April 3, 2013

American League

Chris Davis did everything he could to deliver an Oriole victory, but, the Baltimore pitching staff could not contain Tampa Bay hitters, as the Rays won in the ninth inning, 8-7.

Davis: 4-4, HR 4RBI

Davis went 4-for-4, starting things off with a three-run, first-inning homer, then adding two doubles and a single, driving in four total and scoring twice. The O's exchanged lead with the Rays until tying the game at 7-7 in the ninth, before Matt Joyce led of the bottom of the inning with a game-winning, walk-off homer for the win.

The homer was Davis' second in as many games. His seventh-inning, three-run blast in Tuesday's opener for both teams propelled the Orioles to a 7-4 victory.

The O's and Rays meet again on Thursday in the rubber game of the the three game series. Game time is 3:10 pm EDT at Tropicana Field.

National League

Gio Gonzalez

Miami may have made wholesale changes to their roster during the off-season, but, against the Washington Nationals, they have proven impotent, being shut out for the second straight game as Gio Gonzalez stymied them over six scoreless innings and three relievers finished the job in a 3-0 shutout.

The Marlins were blanked by Stephen Strasburg and the relief staff on Monday; both teams took a day off Tuesday.

Gonzalez surrendered two hits and two walks without yielding a run, fanning five. He also belted a solo homer in the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie with Marlin starter Kevin Slowey.

The Nats are 2-0 and tied with Atlanta and the Mets atop the NL East. Miami, along with the Phillies, are 0-2.

Miami will again attempt to score off the Nats' pitching staff Thursday at 4:05 pm. Jordan Zimmermann goes to the mound for Washington.