Morrison now has 24 home runs for the Rays./JEFFREY S. KING
Sunday, 2 a.m.
For six games, he had been homer-less. For 27 at-bats, he had not trotted in a circle.
It was a matter of time, it seemed, until Logan Morrison broke loose.
Again.
Morrison, reborn, did so again Saturday, hitting two homers (his 23rd and 24th) to guide the Rays to a 10-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays are now three games over .500 again and still in the wild-card hunt in the American League.
“He's having a special season, without a doubt,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “I'd love to see him get into the all-star game. He does everthing
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Odorizzi picked up his fifth win for the Rays../CARMEN MANDATO
offensively above and beyond. But the way he plays the game ... He busts it down the line when he hits a ground ball. He's chasing pop-ups all over. He's a baseball player. He's a gamer. He wants to win as bad as anyone in our lineup.
“I don't think you ever plan for a guy to have 24-25 home runs at the break. I heard a long time ago, it's unfair to pencil a guy in for 30 homers even if he's a 30-homer hitter. What LoMo's done has been special and, hopefully, he continues to exceed.”
Smith had two hits and scored from first on a single./CARMEN MANDATO
Morrison was a late pickup by the Rays, who chased Chris Carter for much of the off-season. Morrison has been better.
“They gave me a look when no one else would,” Morrison said. “I hope I can continue to make them look good.”
The Rays hit four home runs in all to power them past the O's for the second straight game. Morrison hit a two-run shot in the first inning and a solo shot in the third. Steven Souza Jr. followed his third-inning homer with one of his own, the 11th time the Rays have gone back-to-back this season.
It has been said often during Morrison's start, but he seems like a different batter than the man who started for the Rays a year ago. When the Rays finished play on
Longoria had two hits for the Rays./CARMEN MANDATO
last July 1, Morrison had but eight homers and 27 RBI; this year, he's at 24 (second in the league) and 54.
Wilson Ramos hit a three-run homer, his second home run in two nights.
Souza, whose three-run homer won Friday night's game, had three hits on Saturday.
The Rays have now hit 127 home runs. They’ve hit 23 homers in the last 12 games, 39 HR in the last 22 games, and 78 in the last 43 games. Through 83 games, their 123 HR are most in club history.
Jake Odorizzi got the win, going five innings and allowing three earned runs. He gave u[ a home run for the 12th straight outing, setting a new team record.
The Rays go for a series sweep today. Alex Cobb will be on the mount for the Rays, facing Kevin Gausman.
“We want to get on a roll going into the break,” Cash said.
Souza Jr. had a home run among his three hits ./TRAVIS PENDERGRASS
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