The Tampa Bay Rays prevailed in an extra inning affair last night as they successfully swept the Toronto Blue Jays.

Blake Snell provided a strong performance on the mound and the bullpen held the Blue Jays offense to one run over five innings of work. Hunter Wood was the MVP of the night for Tampa Bay as he gave them three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.

Willy Adames provided the walk-off knock as he launched a deep flyball (which turned out to be a single) with the bases loaded to bring home the winning run and sealing the Blue Jays fate.

Tommy Pham had another multi-hit game. Since joining the Rays at the trade deadline last season, Pham is now hitting .317/.427/.538 with 15 HR over 415 plate appearances.

Tampa Bay is still one game back of the Yankees for the AL East lead, but the Rays have a 6.5 game advantage in the Wild Card chase.

The Rays will now welcome Rocco Baldelli and the AL Central leading Minnesota Twins into town for a four game set.

News and Links

• Willy Adames’ bat flip/heave hit a level of euphoria rarely felt by the human experience - Adrian Garro, Cut4
• Rays’ Chaz Roe has rediscovered competitive fire, lethal slider in May - Josh Tolentino, The Athletic ($)
• Surprising Rangers face difficult decisions; the case for Greinke; Bregman, perfectionist; more notes - Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic ($)

Highlights Jake Cronenworth’s transition back into a two-way player

The Rays still consider Cronenworth a position player first, believing he might prove an above-average utility infielder and maybe even a regular. But they are impressed he was willing to resume pitching while only one step away from the majors, and his command and fastball life only figure to improve as he gets more consistent work on the mound.

• Kriseman talks the Rays, the marina, affordable housing and Israel - Josh Solomon, Tampa Bay Times ($)

As far as Kriseman knows, Stu Sternberg is still on schedule to tell him by the end of the summer whether the Tampa Bay Rays will double down on St. Petersburg as the team’s future home, or go elsewhere.

The mayor expects that means by August. By September, he said, it’s already fall.

• Brandon Lowe is the Frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year - Tyler Shushkewich, Call to the Pen
• Twins-Rays a showdown of AL heavyweights - Do-Hyoung Park and Juan Toribio, MLB.com

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