The Tampa Bay Rays (73-47) defeated the Baltimore Orioles (38-80) 10-0 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. Mike Zunino homered in his fifth straight game, while Nelson Cruz hit his first two home runs at Tropicana Field as a Rays, to push the Rays lead for first place in the American League East. For Nelson Cruz, he is now 42nd on the all time home run list with his 443rd home run.
The New York Yankees (68-52) and Boston Red Sox (69-53) are now in a virtual tie for second place in the division.
The Rays began to take control of the game in the fourth inning when they got three runs, thanks in part to Mike Zunino's two-run home run. Then in the fifth inning the Rays erupted for five more runs, including a three-run homer from Nelson Cruz. A two-run home run for Cruz, his second of the night, in the sixth inning and the Rays were off to the races in the big win.
Drew Rasmussen pitched four innings of shutout baseball on just one hit while striking out three and walking one. Chris Ellis (1-0, 0.00) picked up the win after pitching the final four innings of the game and allowing just three hits.
The Rays now look to win the four game series against the Orioles on Wednesday night. First pitch from Tropicana Field on Wednesday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 6 PM ono 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES