Wendle slam, 6 RBIs; Rays finish 18-1 vs Orioles this year

BALTIMORE (AP) — Joey Wendle hit a pair of homers, including a grand slam, and drove in six runs to lead the Tampa Bay Rays over the Baltimore Orioles 12-8 Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Austin Meadows and Jordan Luplow also homered for Tampa Bay, which finished 18-1 against Baltimore this year. The AL East-leading Rays have beaten Baltimore 12 straight times, tying a franchise record they set against the Orioles in 2008.

“That team over there plays hard all the time,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said about Baltimore. “To continue coming back today was a really good example of that. Sometimes it just goes that way. I don’t think any of us can put our finger on it. You applaud their effort.”

Rookie Ryan Mountcastle tied a career high with four hits, including his 24th home run for the Orioles. Jorge Mateo and Cedric Mullins also homered.

“I want to go out there and win every day,” Mountcastle said. “It's obviously a lot more fun when you win. I just have to keep working hard and pounding away at the rest of this season.”

With the Rays leading 6-4 in the seventh inning, Wendle broke open the game when he hit a 1-1 pitch from Paul Fry over the right-field fence for his third career grand slam. Wendle had gone 50 games without a homer before going deep in consecutive at-bats.

“It feels good,” Wendle said. “I'm starting to see the ball a little bit better. I'm making some better contact. Great team win and great to be able to contribute.”

Tampa Bay scored 10 or more runs against Baltimore six times.

Chris Archer made just his second start since April 10 for the Rays after being sidelined with a forearm injury. Archer had to leave his previous outing in the second inning on Aug. 22 against the Yankees because of a hip issue. He managed to throw four innings, allowing two runs...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Wendle-slam-6-RBIs-Rays-finish-18-1-vs-Orioles-16420095.php