Romero steps in for Rays against Orioles

The Tampa Bay Rays will turn to righty Enny Romero on Sunday when they continue a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field.

Jeremy Hellickson had been slated to go in the finale, but pitched 2 1/3 innings in the Rays' wild 18-inning win in Friday's opener.

So, instead it will be Romero, who will be making his big league debut. Romero had a 2.76 ERA between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham this year.

Getting the call for the Orioles on Sunday will be righty Scott Feldman, who is 5-4 with a 3.51 ERA since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs. Feldman did not get a decision on Tuesday in Boston, despite allowing just an earned run in five innings. However, he walked six batters in his team's 3-2 win.

"I'm thinking I was pretty fortunate," Feldman said. "Usually when you walk that many guys, things don't usually go in your favor. It was one of those nights I felt maybe the baseball gods were on our side."

Feldman, though, has pitched well since joining the O's and has pitched to a 1.77 ERA over his last seven starts, while holding his opponents to a .175 average.

On Saturday, Desmond Jennings drove in four runs for Tampa Bay in a 5-1 victory.

Jennings went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer in the fifth and an RBI triple in the seventh for the Rays, who have won three of their last four and sit atop the AL wild card standings.

Alex Cobb (10-3) was on his way to a shutout in the ninth, but David DeJesus misplayed a fly ball in left field to allow Chris Davis to reach third and Adam Jones quickly brought him home with a single to right. Cobb was lifted after 8 1/3 innings and was charged with the one run on five hits while fanning 12 batters.

"You can't put into words how appreciative you are when you're on the mound and these guys after an 18-inning game when you're in bed sleeping while they're putting together a win, and they come out with the same intensity for you the next day," Cobb said.

Miguel Gonzalez (10-8) picked up the loss after only surrendering two hits, one of which was Jennings' home run. The Orioles now sit three games out of the final wild card spot in the American League.

"Everybody was engaged and ready to play today," O's manager Buck Showalter said. "No excuses."

Tampa Bay has won nine of the last 11 meetings with Baltimore.