Tampa Bay's Moore Is Youngest Lefthanded Pitcher to Begin Season 8-0 Since Babe Ruth In 1917

It isn't easy to evoke comparisons to Babe Ruth, perhaps the greatest player baseball has ever produced but Matt Moore is performing at a level that's drawing comparisons to that pretty good southpaw and baseball legend named Ruth.

Moore, a 23-year old pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League, pitched seven innings of five-hit ball to stay unbeaten as the Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Moore (8-0) gave up one run, struck out three and walked one to become the first eight-game winner in the majors. The left-hander has won nine straight decisions, breaking the franchise record of eight set last year by David Price, as reported by USA Today.

Not only that, but the 23-year-old is the youngest lefty to start the season 8-0 since Ruth did it in 1917 at age 22.

"Historically speaking, it's been wonderful," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Moore's season.

Moore is delighted with the results, especially because Tampa Bay is 9-0 in his nine starts.

"It's good for our team. That's the biggest thing we can take away from my record," he said. "On my days to pitch, we're winning all the games. That's the most important part. "

The Rays' ninth victory in 11 games left them a season-high three games over .500 (23-20) and lifted Tampa Bay into a third-place tie with skidding Baltimore in the AL East. The Rays had been in fourth since April 20.

"It puts us back in with a tie, standings-wise, which I think is important," Maddon said. "You got to get over each team that is in front of you before you can get back to the top. To come in here (and get a sweep) indicates how much better we've been playing."

"Pitching wasn't the issue today," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "It was trying to solve Moore. He was the difference-maker."

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