The Tampa Bay Rays (32-15) defeated the Baltimore Orioles (21-28) 4-1 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. With the win, the Rays won the series and have now won eight consecutive series.
Both teams traded runs in the first inning - after Taylor Ward hit a solo homer in the top of the first for Baltimore, Yandy Diaz tied the game with a RBI double in the bottom of the frame. Yandy would then break the tie in the sixth inning with a solo home run - he finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs driven in and a run scored.
In the eighth inning the Rays got two runs thanks to a RBI double from Richie Palacios and a RBI single from Jonny DeLuca that would make it a 4-1 final score. Griffin Jax got the start for Tampa Bay, pitching five innings in which he allowed just one earned run on three hits while striking out six and walking one. Kevin Kelly (3-1, 2.31) got the win out of the bullpen, while Bryan Baker worked the ninth inning for his 13th save.
The Rays will now try to sweep the Orioles when they meet in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at high noon on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES