Last night, the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles with Charlie Morton providing a masterful performance as he racked up 12 strikeouts during his seven innings on the mound, yielding just one run on four hits, walking just one opposing hitter as well.

Adam Kolarek continued his stellar run as of late, striking out the side during his lone inning of work. Chaz Roe struggled as he allowed a two run home run in the 9th to Chance Sisco.

Offensively, Brandon Lowe has the big game for Tampa Bay as he knocked three hits, including his 16th home run of the season. Unfortunately, when he notched his third hit of the night, Lowe hobbled into first base and appeared on crutches following the game. The Rays are promoting INF Mike Brosseau from Triple-A

The Rays are now 5.5 games back in the division behind the New York Yankees, but hold a three game advantage in the Wild Card chase.

Tonight, the Rays will look to sweep the Baltimore Orioles, and then they’ll welcome the New York Yankees to the Trop for a four game set before the All-Star break.

News and Links

• Injury cuts Lowe’s do-it-all night short. Second baseman exits with lower leg contusion, considered day to day - Juan Toribio, Rays Baseball
• Rays to sign int’l prospects Pena, De La Cruz - Jesse Sanchez, MLB.com
• Sioux City Explorers pitcher Jason Garcia head to Tampa Bay Rays - Ryan Conner, Sioux City Journal

Garcia’s lone MLB experience came with the Baltimore Orioles during the 2015 season.

• Big brother of the year: Temple Terrace boy’s act of kindness gets national attention

At Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers, the young Tampa Bay Rays fan made an impressive catch of a foul ball, but his generosity toward his little sister is what earned him viral fame.

• While Rays pull Rays things, fans left to wallow in embarrassment - Hannah Keyser, Yahoo Sports
• Rays’ Outrageous Montreal Plan Only Exists to Get New Stadiums Built—Again - Joe Sheehan, Sports Illustrated
• Tampa Bay’s Brendan McKay Provides the Two-Way Player Template Shohei Ohtani Never Could - Michael Baumann, The Ringer
• Rays’ Franco headlines Players of the Week - Sam Dykstra, MiLB.com