Streaking Rays beat Orioles 3-1 to maintain lead in AL East

BALTIMORE (AP) — Charlie Morton pitched five effective innings and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays used home runs by Yoshi Tsutsugo and Randy Arozarena to beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 Saturday night.

Arozarena's two-run drive in the fifth off Jorge López (2-1) put the Rays up 3-1, and that was enough offense to ring up another win over the skidding Orioles. Tampa Bay will strive to complete a five-game sweep on Sunday.

With a playoff berth already in hand, the Rays' next objective in this abbreviated 60-game season is to win the AL East title for the third time in franchise history.

Although the second-place Yankees beat Boston on Saturday night to remain 3 1/2 games back, Tampa Bay whittled its magic number to clinch the division to four.

“I think that’s been a driving factor for everybody in this clubhouse since this all started," manager Kevin Cash said before the game. “We want to keep cutting and reducing that number down."

The Rays have won seven of nine to forge the best record in the AL (35-18). If they can maintain it, they will earn the top seed in the AL playoffs.

Morton (2-2) allowed one run and five hits, walking two and striking out six. It was his best outing since leaving the injured list on Sept. 2 following a bout with right shoulder inflammation.

Ryan Thompson, the last of three Tampa Bay relievers, got two outs for his first career save. The Rays have had a dozen different pitchers earn saves, tying the 1973 Texas Rangers' single-season mark (since saves became an official statistic in 1969).

The Orioles were 20-21 on Sept. 8 and in contention for a playoff spot. They have since lost 10 of 12.

Morton struggled with his control at the outset, needing 51 pitches to get out of the first two innings. After the Orioles used a walk and two...

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