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Right-hander Jason Hammel limped off the mound in the fourth inning of the Orioles' 9-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays and left the game with what the team announced was a right knee injury.

This weekend's series is important for both teams. The Orioles and Rays share identical 55-50 records and are both 1 1/2 games out of the AL Wild Card.

It didn't take long for the Tampa Bay Rays to jump on Orioles rookie right-hander Miguel Gonzalez Wednesday night. The Orioles trailed after just one pitch. They were down by five runs before an Orioles hitter picked up a bat.

Brian Matusz provided his finest performance of the season, giving the Orioles his fourth consecutive quality start and more importantly, creating a two-way tie between the teams atop the American League East standings heading into Sunday¿s afternoon series finale.

The Baltimore Orioles' 9-8 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays -- which ended with the game-winning run on second base -- ended this series in bittersweet fashion.

The first-place Orioles used a catcher¿s interference call to ignite a fifth-inning rally and took advantage of an overall abysmal defensive showing to slip by Tampa Bay, 5-3.

Nick Johnson's brief career in an Orioles uniform has been less than stellar. But on Friday night, with sole possession of first place in the American League East on the line, he played the role of hero.

The Orioles play in their final Grapefruit League game today against the Rays. After today, the Orioles will play three more exhibition games, including the first two at Ed Smith Stadium against Florida Southern on Monday night and then State College of Florida on Tuesday afternoon.

Brad Bergesen finds his form in Orioles' 6-0 win over Tampa Bay Rays. Starter pitches complete-game shutout against Rays for first win of season