Tampa Bay Rays Snap Losing Streak With Wild 7-6 Win Over Orioles

The Tampa Bay Rays avoid the sweep as they take down the Baltimore Orioles 7-6 in the series finale at Tropicana Field on Monday night. 

The team picked up its 75th win of the season after a strong performance from Tampa Bay all around. 

Here's what you need to know from the contest. 

It was a home run party for Tampa Bay as Yandy Diaz, Ryan Vilade, and Jorge Mateo homered for the Rays. The two-run shot by Mateo in the fourth inning was his first for Tampa Bay, which gave him an early 4-3 lead. 

The game-winning run came in the seventh inning when Tampa Bay rallied with a two-run single from pinch hitter Jonny DeLuca. The Rays would score three runs in the bottom of the seventh and hold off the Orioles the rest of the way. 

Tampa Bay picked up 12 hits, 3 home runs, and 3 walks in the contest. They struck out 8 times and were 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position. 

Following his return from the injured list, Shane McClanahan had a short stay on the mound against the Orioles on Monday night. The Rays' starter went 3.1 innings, allowed one home run to Coby Mayo, and then was removed in the middle of the fourth inning by manager Kevin Cash. 

Following the three earned runs allowed by McClanahan, the rest of the bullpen stepped up the rest of the way, with the exception of newly acquired reliever Tyler Wells. It wasn't the best night for Wells against his former team, Baltimore, as he allowed two home runs in one inning of work and allowed the other three runs to score for the Baltimore Orioles. 

Kevin Kelly, Cam Boozer, and Bryan Baker picked up the slack for the final four innings, keeping the Orioles scoreless and getting the team back in the win column. Baker picked up his 24th consecutive save, getting five outs to finish the game for the Rays. This feat has now become the best season by any closer in Tampa Bay Rays history. 

Following the series against Baltimore, Tampa Bay is 6-4 against the Orioles on the season. There will be one more series next weekend at Camden Yards to decide who will take the series lead. Tampa Bay will need to sweep to make that happen. 

Before that, though, they will stay home at Tropicana Field and host another AL East rival in the Toronto Blue Jays. The series will begin Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. Eastern. Nick Martinez will get the start for Tampa Bay. Entering Tuesday, the team holds a six-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East Division standings.