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The Rays entered tonight’s game looking to extend their winning streak to four with All-Star Charlie Morton on the hill. For the Orioles, it was Asher (hold on) Wojciechowski, who was acquired a day earlier from Cleveland.
Brandon Lowe had a good first inning.
.@Sweet_n_Lowe5 nabs Villar—again! #RaysUp #MLB pic.twitter.com/mvKLTENUZu
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) July 2, 2019
Brandon Lowe slugs his 16th HR of the year in the 1st. #RaysUp 1#Birdland 0
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) July 2, 2019
Catch @RaysBaseball on FOX Sports Sun l FOX Sports Go. pic.twitter.com/bOU7nKo6Bh
Lowe continues to pace American League rookies in home runs and runs batted in, also tying Evan Longoria for most home runs by a Rays rookie before the All-Star break. It’s almost as if Lowe should be at the All-Star game himself, but I digress...
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis matched Lowe’s effort with a solo homer of his own against Morton in the third, the first hit for the O’s.
But Lowe wouldn’t take that lying down.
@Sweet_n_Lowe5 (2 RBI) is raking! #RaysUp 2#Birdland 1 pic.twitter.com/ScynLzkV8I
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) July 3, 2019
And that was all Morton needed.
The Twitch feat. Trey Mancini
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) July 3, 2019
The 9 Ks feat. Charlie Morton pic.twitter.com/MH7c2V7jS1
In the bottom of the sixth, Lowe got another hit, but after fouling two pitches off his leg in the at bat, was taken out of the game after limping his way to first. Yandy Diaz took his place as the pinch runner.
After a Tommy Pham walk, a wild pitch and a Ji-Man Choi groundout, Avisail Garcia extended the lead to three. This spelled the end of the night for Wojciechowski.
.@AvisailGarcia drives in ✌! #RaysUp 4#Birdland 1
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) July 3, 2019
Catch @RaysBaseball on FOX Sports Sun l FOX Sports Go. pic.twitter.com/f1PxPlTP6k
Morton dominated for one more inning before giving way to Adam Kolarek. Prior to giving up a base hit to Rio Ruiz, Morton struck out six consecutive Orioles and twelve on the night, including this one.
Nutmegged.#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/ThceGQ8F11
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 3, 2019
With his outing tonight, Morton recaptured the American League lead in ERA.
Pham added two more with a double in the home half.
.@RaysBaseball add 2 more runs on Tommy Pham's 2-RBI double. #RaysUp 6#Birdland 1 pic.twitter.com/O9UotlHgzf
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) July 3, 2019
Kolarek struck out the side in order in the eighth, but Chaz Roe didn’t have it so easy in the ninth, allowing a two-run homer to Chance Cisco. Jose Alvarado got loose, but the Rays ultimately didn’t need him.
The Rays go for the sweep tomorrow. Rookie of the year candidate John means gets the ball for the Orioles while the Rays have yet to announce their starter.
#Rays Cash said they’re still deciding on a starter for Weds bullpen day
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 3, 2019
An update on Brandon Lowe.
#Rays Lowe is on crutches, quite sore and unlikely to play Wednesday but #Rays feel relieved it’s not worse as x-Rays were negative. Cash said they’ll know more Wednesday morning.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 3, 2019