Rays offense revives in win
Set season high for runs in a game as all nine starters join hit parade
The Tampa Bay Rays have been insisting it was just a matter of time until their offense broke out of an extended slump.
After beating the Cardinals, 11-3, Wednesday, they now hope it is the start of something.
The 11 runs were their most in a game this season, surpassing their 10 in a 10-inning game May 3 vs. Oakland. The 18 hits also were a season high, surpassing the 14 in that same game against the A’s. So were their seven doubles.
And it was the first time all nine starters in their lineup had a hit in the same game since August.
Manuel Margot went 4 for 5 plus a walk and scoring two runs. Ji-Man Choi was 3 for 5, knocking in two runs and scoring three. Randy Arozarena, facing his former Cardinals team, also had three hits.
The Rays (33-23) had some help from an ineffective Cardinals pitching performance led by opener Packy Naughton and some uncharacteristically sloppy defense. That included reliever T.J. McFarland apparently losing track of the outs in the sixth inning and casually throwing to first after fielding a bases-loaded comebacker, allowing a run to score.
Star catcher Yadier Molina took a turn on the mound, striking out Isaac Paredes in working a scoreless eighth.
Other games
Phillies 10, Brewers 0: Bryce Harper had a three-run homer and lead off man Kyle Schwarber went 4 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs scored as visiting Philadelphia crushed Milwaukee.
Dodgers 4 White Sox 1: Tony Gonsolin improved to 7-0, tossing three-hit ball over six innings, and Will Smith and Cody Bellinger homered early to lead Los Angeles to a victory in Chicago.
Marlins 2, Nationals 1: Willians Astudilo and Jesus Aguilar both had RBI singles in bottom of the 10th inning and Sandy Alcantara pitched nine strong innings to lead host Miami past
Washington.
Mariners 6, Astros 3: Cal Raleigh and Ty France both homered early and Seattle beat host Houston. The Mariners took two of three from the AL West rival Astros to win their fourth consecutive series overall and first in Houston since September 2018.
Royals 8, Blue Jays 4: MJ Melendez and Emmanuel Rivera drove in two runs apiece. Carlos Santana went 4 for 4 and reached base five times during his eighth career four-hit game. Lumbering catcher Salvador Perez had his first triple in five years as Kansas City defeated visiting Toronto.
Twins 8, Yankees 1: Former Pirates pitcher Chris Archer gave up just two hits in five innings to cool off visiting New York and earn his first win with the Twins.