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BAL@CLE: Tillman allows one run over 6 2/3 innings

Tampa Bay has a chance to do something on Thursday it hasn't done since June 10.

The Rays are attempting to sweep the Orioles at Camden Yards after not having won three straight games against the same team since visiting the Marlins in June.

Right-hander James Shields will be taking the mound for Tampa Bay to attempt this feat, after a refreshingly positive showing in his last start.

After allowing 10 or more hits in his previous four starts, Shields gave up three runs on four hits and two walks to go along with 10 strikeouts, earning a no-decision in a marathon, 14-inning win against Seattle.

"I felt really good, felt really good in my delivery, my location for the most part," Shields said. "I felt I pitched pretty well. Unfortunately, it went 14 innings, but we ended up getting the win, so that's good."

Baltimore sends Chris Tillman to oppose Shields in his fourth start of the season.

Tillman has fared well in his last three starts, going 2-1 with a 1.15 ERA, but his defense hasn't been as kind, allowing a combined eight unearned runs in the stretch.

Baltimore, which is tied with Tampa Bay for second in the American League East, is hoping Tillman can duplicate his most recent start that saw him allow one run over 6 1/3 innings on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

The Orioles have allowed 13 runs in the first two games of the series, while scoring just two.

Rays: Matsui out, Roberts in
• After hitting just .147 with two homers and seven RBIs, Tampa Bay designated Hideki Matsui for assignment on Wednesday.

Matsui was stuck in an 0-for-16 slump, last recording a hit on July 1, though he did miss some time due to a sore hamstring. When he did hit, he lacked the power he showed earlier in his career, going without a homer since June 1, his second game with the Rays.

The move was made in large part to make room for infielder Ryan Roberts, who Tampa Bay acquired in a trade with Arizona on Tuesday.

Roberts figures to give the Rays more depth at third base, with Evan Longoria still on the disabled list. In 83 games with the Diamondbacks this season, Roberts hit .250 with six homers and 34 RBIs.

The 31-year-old enjoyed success on his first night with the Rays, getting on base three times and scoring three runs with a homer and two RBIs.

Orioles: Reynolds optimistic he can regain power
• Baltimore first baseman Mark Reynolds hasn't hit a homer since July 16, but the slugger feels it's only a matter of time before he gets his power back.

It would be a welcome addition for the Orioles, who have scored one run in each of the last three games and five or more runs in just two of 10 games.

"Obviously I feel like I am going to be able to revert to my old self and be that guy at the plate that this team can count on," Reynolds said. "And if I can contribute over these next two months of what I know I'm capable [of], I think we'll be in a good spot at the end of the day."

Reynolds has just eight home runs in 72 games this year, compared to 37 a season ago. In 2012, he's knocking a ball over the wall once every 29.1 at-bats, after hitting one in every 14.4 last year.

He was 1-for-4 with a single on Wednesday.

Worth noting:
• Longoria, out since April 30, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

• Tampa Bay catcher Jose Lobaton hit his first career home run in Tuesday's game.

• Orioles catcher Matt Weiters is 0-for-8 in the series with five strikeouts.

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