Rays kick open the door to the season’s second half

by Gary Shelton on July 13, 2019 · 0 comments

in general, Tampa Bay Rays

    Chirinos ran his record to 8-4./CHUCK MULLER

Saturday, 3 a.m.

If you imagine them from the viewpoint of the Baltimore Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays are indeed something to see.

Once again, the Rays clobbered the Orioles Friday night, jump-starting the second half of their season with a 16-4 drubbing of the O's. The Rays have now scored 58 runs against Baltimore in nine games, easily the most they have scored against any opponent.

Granted, it was only the lowly O's, who have won just 27 times in 90 games this year. The Orioles have given up 86 runs to the Yankees in 12 games,  62 to Oakland in seven games and 55 to Boston in 10 games. In other words, you can only get so excited against the Orioles.

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Nate Lowe had four hits for the Rays./JEFFREY S. KING

Still, if you compare this to the May 3 game between the teams, you'll be impressed. That night, also with Dylan Bundy on the mound, the Os won a 3-0 game in which Tampa Bay managed only three hits.

Still, it was the most hits and most runs the Rays have had all season.

"In the first inning, everyone played a role," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. "Big hits. Timely hits. Offensively, we can’t ask for much more than that"

Rookie Nate Lowe had four hits, including a two-run homer. Kevin Kiermaier had three and Tommy Pham, Joey Wendle, Yandy Diaz, Travis d'Arnaud and Willy Adames all had two.

In the first inning, the Rays scored seven runs on eight hits, five of them coming with two strikes.

"He's kind of got that natural left-handed swing," Cash said of Lowe. "He’s really strong. He can generate a lot of power."

Lost in all of the offense was another solid performance by Yonny Chirinos, who allowed just four hits and two earned runs in seven innings. He struck out eight as he ran his record to 8-4. He had a 9-0 lead after an inning and a half, but he kept his composure.

“It’s not an easy thing to do," Cash said. "You’ll take the runs. It’s so easy to change your approach and just throw strikes. But major league hitters are good. He was outstanding. Electric stuff. I really noticed the split today."

The Rays play a doubleheader today against the Orioles at Camden Yards. Brandan McKay and Charlie Morton will start for the Rays against Aaron Brooks and John Means. The games begin at 1:05 and 7:05.

 

 

 

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