ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Rays pounded out a season-high 16 runs on 18 hits Monday night at Tropicana Field, routing the Baltimore Orioles to win for the 19th time in 23 games and push their American League-leading record to 31-15.
The offensive explosion — which also set season highs for extra-base hits (eight) and tied the season high for walks (seven) — was Tampa Bay’s highest-scoring game since a 16-run outing against the Astros last May 31 and the biggest output at Tropicana Field since a 16-1 rout of the Yankees on April 19, 2014. The Rays batted around twice, in the second and sixth innings, and posted four multi-run innings.
“You’re going to have to find ways to score runs. Sometimes it’s going to come with contact and putting the ball in play, and then some days you need those big gap shots or home runs with guys on base,” manager Kevin Cash said. “And tonight, we definitely got those.”
Designated hitter Yandy Díaz led the barrage with four hits, tying his career highs with four RBIs and four runs scored. Third baseman Junior Caminero crushed his 13th home run, a three-run shot in the fifth inning. Shortstop Taylor Walls extended his hitting streak to a career-high seven games with two hits and three runs, while platoon outfielder Ryan Vilade went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and center fielder Jonny DeLuca drove in three runs.
“What can I say? I mean, we have good batters,” Díaz said through interpreter Kevin Vera. “That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers was knocked out in the fourth inning after surrendering eight runs, seven earned. “Excuse my French,” Rogers told reporters, “but [the Rays] beat my ass tonight.”
Left-hander Shane McClanahan saw his career-best scoreless streak end at 23 2/3 innings — the fourth-longest in franchise history behind Alex Cobb (24 2/3 innings, 2014), Alex Colomé (24 2/3 innings, 2014-15) and Taj Bradley (24 innings, 2024) — when Adley Rutschman singled home a run in the third. One batter later, McClanahan recorded his 500th career strikeout. He allowed four runs total but earned his fifth win of the season.
“I picked a pretty good night to give up runs for the first time in a while,” McClanahan said, grinning. He added: “I think tonight was a good glimpse of, if we’re firing, what we can do. Hopefully we keep this momentum rolling tomorrow, the next day and hopefully the rest of the year. If we keep putting up 16 like that, I’m going to have a lot of fun on the mound.”
Caminero echoed the confidence. “Whatever we need to play is the type of baseball that we’re going to play,” the 21-year-old said.
With an eight-run cushion after five innings, Chase Solesky made his Major League debut and pitched three innings, limiting bullpen usage to one additional reliever. “Picked us up in a big way,” Cash said of Solesky. “I know the game was separated, but we’re going to win a game down the road from avoiding maybe having to pitch some guys. … Pumped for him.”
The Rays continue their series against Baltimore at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night.