Rays 7, Orioles 1: Randy Slam Can

The Rays finished off a sweep of the lowly Orioles, putting some space in the standings between themselves and the Red Sox, who were pummeled by the Blue Jays 18-4. (No word on whether any unwritten rules were broken.) The win put the Rays a season high 18 games over .500 at 42-24, three games ahead of Boston.

Michael Wacha got the open, with Josh Fleming expected to pick up the bulk innings. Lefty Bruce Zimmerman took the hill for the Orioles.

Wacha worked the first two and had a little trouble finding the zone. He put two on in a scoreless first on a single and a hit by pitch. In the second, he walked Hays leading off. The Orioles then moved Hays around to third on a bunt and a ground out, where he scored on a Valaika single. 1-0 Orioles.

Josh Fleming started his bulk duty in the third, and he was like Novocain over four no-hit, scoreless innings, walking just one while striking out three.

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It took the Rays bats a bit to get going. Manuel Margo broke up the perfect game in the first inning with a leadoff single, but that would be the only action in the first couple innings.

They broke into the scoring column in the third. Taylor Walls led off with a single to left, and Phillips followed with a walk, setting the table for the top of the order. Margot then grounded softly to third, forcing Phillips at second. Finally, Diaz singled sharply to left on a 3-1 slider, scoring Walls and advancing Margot to third.

1-1 tie.

The Rays were unable to push across any more as Brosseau struck out and Randy hit one on the screws but right to Galvis.

The Rays hung two more on the board in their half of the fourth. It started with a Lowe cued grounder to third that went for an infield single. Mejía followed with lined single to left. Wendle then grounded to first and advanced both runners. Walls then pushed them home by dumping a 1-1 middle-middle changeup into left.

3-1 Rays!

New arrival Matt Wisler got the ball for the Rays in the seventh and worked a clean frame, with one strikeout. Wisler threw 11 pitches, 10 of which were his trademark slider.

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The Rays broke it open in the bottom of the seventh. With Travis Lakins pitching, Brett Phillips drew his third walk of the day. He then moved up to third on a Margot single to center. Margot also was able to advance to second on a throw to nowhere by Hays.

Change up specialist César Valdez took over for the O’s, and struck out Diaz. An intentional walk of pinch hitter Austin Meadows loaded the bases for Arozarena. Randy made them pay, crushing one deep to right center, just over the yellow railing for a grand slam.

Randy’s first post-Willy homer made it 7-1 Rays!

Andrew Kittredge got the eighth and worked a clean frame, striking out two.

Springs followed in the ninth, nailing down the win with a no-hit, one strikeout performance.

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Rays win!

The Rays travel to Chicago where they will meet the White Sox tomorrow evening. Tyler Glasnow will square up against Lance Lynn. Game time is at 8:10 PM.

NOTES

Brett Phillips walked three times today, nearly entering some fun company.

The Rays no-hit the Orioles from the third inning on.

And would you like more good news? The Yankees also dropped their game to Phillies 7-1, making it a very nice day to be a Rays fan.