The Rays won a one run game against the Orioles last night, downing Baltimore 4-3, no thanks to the replay crew in New York, who blew it big time on a Ji-Man Choi “double” off this dude’s chest in left field.

The usual suspects pitched, with a rando reliever getting the start, a rando reliever getting the win, and a rando reliever getting the save. Old friend Alex Cobb was brilliant until he wasn’t. In other words, just like you imagined it would go. Sadly, no pitcher played second base.

During the game, new Rays catcher Michael Perez — acquired in the (checks notes) Matt Andriese trade — collected his first big league hit. Good job, New Guy!

Speaking of The New Guy:

• Marc Topkin had a chat with him.
• Juan Toribio at the Athletic says he’ll get plenty of work.

Jonny Venters goes marching home

Possibly after you went to bed last night, the Rays made yet another deal, somehow making the feel-good story of the year even feel-goodier by sending 3 ¹⁄₂ time Tommy John survivor Jonny Venters back to where his career started, with the Atlanta Braves, in exchange for international slot money.

It’s probably less than the Rays were hoping to receiving when they first rolled the dice on Venters, but after his setbacks last year, it’s great to get anything at all. And the feels this move earns — not to mention the prospect of more Wander Francos — puts this in the win-win column for everybody.

Around the League

• The Cubs sent pocket lint to Texas in exchange for the ghost of Cole Hamels., and Jim Bowden reacts to Brewers landing Joakim Soria from the White Sox.
• Jim Bowden also ranked the best arms available on the trade markets. The Rays Jose Alvarado is somehow listed as the best LHP on the market. Le sigh.
• Pipeline Top 100 list is out, with updated team 30 prospect lists
• Aaron Judge was plunked on the wrist on will miss at least three weeks.
• Luis Torres at Beyond the Boxscore says this O’s did well in the Zach Britton deal.
• At the Athletic, Marc Carig explains why the Yankees overpaid for JA Happ.
• Over at Fangraph’s, Jay Jaffe talks about the poor performance some very good teams are getting in centerfield.
• Milwaukee fans were criticized for giving Josh Hader a standing ovation in his first appearance following the disclosure of older racists and homophobic tweets. Things on the road...did not go as well.
• Lastly, Juan Soto became the first teenager to be intentionally walked twice in the same game since 1975.

He will hold this distinction until approximately September of 2019, when Wander Franco hits The Show.