Wednesday, 4 a.m.
So this is how the other half lives.
If there are times that frustrate you watching the Tampa Bay Rays, often a good-field, little-hit ball club, Tuesday was a night to remember how terrible it can look to play the opposite way.
The Rays -- somehow -- won a 9-3 game over the Baltimore Orioles when they struggled to catch the ball. They committed four errors, had two wild pitches and misplayed a fly ball in their win.
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How does that happen? Well, the Rays also were particularly efficient at the plate, getting 10 hits and scoring nine times.
Leading the attack was Francisco Mejia, who had five RBI with a two-run homer and a bases-loaded triple in the Rays' four-run eighth. Randy Arozarena also hit a homer for Tampa Bay.
Defense aside, the Ray's hitting and pitching were nice sights. The Rays had been only 12-12 in their previous 24 games, and the starting pitching was working with a 10.00 ERA since the all-star break.
Shane McClanahan was sharp in his start, allowing four hits across five innings and striking out seven. The bullpen allowed two runs, but neither of them were earned. Pete Fairbanks was especially sharp in the eighth, striking out two with two men on base.
The Rays finish their series with Baltimore with a 12:10 p.m. game today at Tropicana Field. Michael Wacha will pitch for the Rays against Keegan Akin.