Rays 14, Twins 3
Record: 35-19
Attendance: 8,076
It doesn't make sense that the Rays' most dominating performance of the year should come at the expense of the team with the best record in baseball. But that's what happened last night when the Rays took on the Minnesota Twins, which at 37-17 were 20 games over .500. And this is the team the Rays beat 14-3, to raise their own record to 35-19, 16 games over .500 and one-half game out of first place in the AL East. .
The successful evening got started with Charlie Morton (now 6-0) going seven innings in which he gave up two runs on four hits (no walks). Mopping up were Adam Kolarek and Oliver Drake. But the damage was done by the Rays' offense, six runs in the third and five more in the fourth. They left only eight men on base, and with men in scoring position, they went 9 for 11. Austin Meadows once again showed the way, hitting a double inside the first base line with the bases loaded in the third. In his recent attack on the record books, Meadows had another two-hit night with four RBIs, putting his season BA at .361 and his RBI total at 35; he also leads the team with 12 HRs. He played left field last night where he managed a full-extension grab of a fly ball slicing away from him near the wall. Nothing but the IL has been able to stop him so far this year.
Yandy Diaz, on the shelf since being hit on the left hand almost two weeks ago against the Yankees, is showing progress and is nearly ready for a rehab assignment. Meanwhile, the Rays called up Christian Arroyo, who had two doubles and two RBIs in yesterday's game and seems readier than ever to compete for a regular job. Mike Zunino played his second rehab game at Charlotte (three Ks in seven innings), which probably means there will be a roster change at the catcher position very soon.
Tonight's game is back to opener Ryne Stanek with Jalen Beeks (4-0) slotted as the bulk-man
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