The Tampa Bay Rays (51-47) defeated the Baltimore Orioles (43-53) 11-1 on Friday night at Steinbrenner Field. The Rays returned from the All-Star Break with a bang, snapping a four-game skid that they had taken into the break.
The Rays scored early and often, starting in the first inning when Junior Caminero hit a three-run homer to give the Rays an early lead. They added single runs in the second and third before erupting with six runs in the sixth. In that sixth inning, Yandy Diaz hit a grand slam and Caminero hit his second home run - a solo shot - to help key the offense.
Yandy Diaz went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs scored, while Junior Caminero went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored. In the leadoff spot, Chandler Simpson added three more hits, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Taj Bradley (6-6, 4.35) pitched six shutout innings in which he allowed three hits while striking out six and walking one. He easily outdueled former Rays star Charlie Morton (5-8, 5.58) who allowed seven runs - all of them earned - on hit hits in five and one-third innings of work. Baltimore's only run came with the game well out of hand in the ninth inning.
The Rays will look to make it two in a row and try to win the three-game series when they meet the Orioles in the second game of the three-game series coming up on Saturday night. Zack Littell (8-7, 3.56) is scheduled to stat for the Rays, and face Dean Kremer (8-7, 4.24) for the Orioles. First pitch Saturday is scheduled for 7:05 PM - Chris Adams-Wall begins pregame coverage at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES