The Tampa Bay Rays (51-41) defeated the Baltimore Orioles (46-46) 7-5 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The win gave Tampa Bay the series win over the O's, and the Rays will head into the All-Star Break ten games above .500.
The win was a costly one, as infielder Harold Ramirez was hit by a pitch in the first inning. X-rays revealed he suffered a right thumb fracture, meaning he will be headed to the IL and will be reevaluated in two weeks.
Randy Arozarena hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Rays an early lead. After Tampa Bay added another in the second, Brett Phillips hit a two-run blast of his own in the third inning to give the Rays a 6-0 lead.
Baltimore got two back in the fourth inning and a two-run homer from Rougned Odor in the sixth to pull within 6-4. Francisco Mejia added some insurance with a solo homer in the sixth to make it 7-4. Though Austin Hays homered in the eighth to make it 7-5, that would be as close as the Rays could get.
Sunday marked the season debut for reliever Pete Fairbanks, who had been sidelined since spring by a right lat strain. He worked the eighth inning, allowing only the Hays home run while striking out two.
Corey Kluber (6-5, 3.73) picked up the win after throwing 83 pitches in the start. He allowed four earned runs on eight hits while striking out three and walking one in six innings of work. Jason Adam picked up his fourth save of the year by pitching a perfect ninth inning.
The Rays now head into the All-Star Break, and will be off until Friday. Rays ace pitcher Shane McClanahan will represent the Rays in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, which is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM and can be heard on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
When Tampa Bay returns to action, it will be in Kansas City on Friday against the Royals. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 8:10 PM - Neil Solondz begins pregame coverage at 7:30 PM. Then at 8:00 PM Dave Wills & Andy Freed will have play-by-play call of the game. You can hear that game, and every Rays game all season long, on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home for Rays Baseball.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES