Simulated Season: Tampa Bay Rays destroy Brewers 11-4

The Tampa Bay Rays are getting back on the winning track in the simulated season. They have now won their past three games in a row.

The Tampa Bay Rays snapped a five-game losing skid with a 10-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, led by Brendan McKay.

They followed that up with a 6-3 victory over the Brewers in the first game of the series at Tropicana Field.

Charlie Morton toed the rubber today as he continued to turn his season around. Morton went 8.0 innings, racking up nine strikeouts, just one walk, and allowing just three earned runs on two hits. He lowered his season ERA to 5.04. It was in the mid-sixes just a couple of weeks ago.

On the flip side, the Rays bats continue to show life as they knocked Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff around, limiting him to just two and a third innings pitched, drawing three walks, six hits, and scoring six runs on him.

Tampa Bay Rays – Game Highlights

Kevin Kiermaier had a nice day going 2-5 and scoring a run. Kiermaier came into today’s game hitting just .198 on the season. Yet, he continues to hit leadoff. One can only wonder what is going through Kevin Cash’s head…

Yandy Diaz has raised his batting average to .302 after also going 2-5 and driving in two.

Nate Lowe blasted his 10th homer of the season off of Woodruff in the first inning. Lowe finished 1-4 with a homer, two runs, two batted in, and a walk.

Hunter Renfroe smashed a team-leading 14th home run of the season and also stole a base giving him four thefts on the season. Austin Meadows also nabbed his fifth steal of the year.

The Rays are now just 3.5 games back of the first-place Yankees.

AL EAST Standings:

1. New York Yankees (36-24)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (33-28)
3. Toronto Blue Jays (27-33)
4. Boston Red Sox (27-34)
5. Baltimore Orioles (23-37)

The Rays will square off against the Minnesota Twins tomorrow in Minnesota. Tyler Glasnow (3-5, 3.80 ERA) will challenge Kenta Maeda (3-5, 6.25 ERA).