The Tampa Bay Rays (3-0) blew out the Baltimore Orioles (0-3) 8-0 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The win gives the Rays a season opening three game sweep for the first time since sweeping the New York Yankees in three games in 2012.
As they did in every game this weekend, the Rays got on the board first. The put together a four run second inning thanks to Mike Zunino and Manuel Margot driving in a run each on outs, then Brandon Lowe hit a two-run home run to make it 4-0.
Tampa Bay pulled away in the seventh inning with another four-run outburst. After Wander Franco hit a two-run single, Ji-Man Choi and Harold Ramirez each drove in a run to give the Rays an 8-0 lead.
Franco finished the game 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored, and is now hitting .545 (6-for-11) to start the 2022 season.
Corey Kluber looked good in his Rays debut, pitching four and two-third innings of shutout ball in which he allowed three hits while striking out five and walking four. He gave way to Jeffrey Springs (1-0, 0.00) who picked up the win after closing out the fifth inning.
From there Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks and Matt Wisler all were scoreless out of the bullpen, allowing Tampa Bay to secure the shutout win.
The Rays remain at home for a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics beginning on Monday night. First pitch from Tropicana Field on Monday is scheduled for 6:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES