Longoria, Joyce homer and Orioles struggle in clutch as Rays escape with 4-3 victory

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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price delivers against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 19, 2013 in Baltimore.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)

BALTIMORE – Evan Longoria and Matt Joyce homered, David Price grinded through five challenging innings to win his fourth straight decision and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-3 Monday night in a duel between AL contenders.

Joyce hit a two-run drive in the fourth to break a tie and push the Rays toward their fifth win in six games. Tampa Bay moved within a half-game of the first-place Red Sox in the AL East, pending Boston’s late game in San Francisco.

Price (7-5) gave up 10 hits and two walks but was effective when it counted. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner allowed only two runs, as Baltimore went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 against the left-hander.

Fernando Rodney, the fourth Tampa Bay reliever, worked the ninth for his 28th save.

Baltimore starter Chris Tillman (14-4) gave up four runs and five hits in six innings.

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