BRANDON LOWE

Zach Eflin and two relievers combined on a two-hitter, Brandon Lowe and Harold Ramírez homered, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 to pull into a virtual tie atop the AL East.

Hunter Brown combined with two relievers on a two-hitter and the Houston Astros shut out the major league-best Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight game, 1-0.

The Tampa Bay Rays ran their season-opening win streak to 11 games, using another homer for Brandon Lowe and a strong performance by Shane McClanahan to beat the Boston Red Sox 7-2.

The streaking Tampa Bay Rays are running out of superlatives to describe baseball’s best start in more than three decades.

The Tampa Bay Rays became the first major league team since the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers to open the season with 10 straight wins, getting a solo homer from Brandon Lowe in the eighth inning to beat the Boston Red Sox 1-0.

The Tampa Bay Rays are on such a roll, the only question is which of their stats is most impressive.

The Tampa Bay Rays matched the best start to a major league season in 20 years, routing the Oakland Athletics 11-0 for a 9-0 record as Drew Rasmussen combined on a one-hitter and Brandon Lowe hit a grand slam.

Wander Franco had three RBIs, Jonathan Aranda homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 in the opener of a big four-game series between playoff contenders.

Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was pulled in the fifth inning with neck tightness during a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros.

Aaron Judge led off the game with his major league-leading 53rd homer and the New York Yankees stopped the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 to avoid a three-game sweep.

Drew Rasmussen took a perfect game into the ninth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays expanded their lead over Baltimore for the final AL wild card to 1 1/2 games with a 4-1 victory over the Orioles.

Yu Chang and Yandy Diaz drew bases-loaded walks in a seven-run ninth inning to help the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 7-0.

Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz homered as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-4.

The Baltimore Orioles’ winning streak ended at 10 as Christian Bethancourt hit his first home run for Tampa Bay and the Rays rallied for a 5-4 victory.

Mark Kolozsvary scored on a game-ending balk by Matt Wisler in the 10th inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Tampa Bay Rays came into the season with Wander Franco at shortstop, Brandon Lowe at second base and Mike Zunino behind the plate.

Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning and the streaking New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 for their 14th straight home win.

The Rays have put shortstop Wander Franco on the 10-day injured list with a right quadriceps strain, the latest setback for the injury-plagued team.

The Tampa Bay Rays have a combined no-hit bid through nine innings against the Boston Red Sox.

Cole Irvin pitched into the seventh inning,and the Oakland Athletics beat Tampa Bay 6-3 to take three of four from the Rays, Irvin allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the rebuilding A’s under new manager Mark Kotsay improved to 4-3.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber looked good in his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching into the fifth inning to help the defending AL East champions beat Baltimore 8-0 and complete a season-opening sweep of the Orioles.

Shortstop Wander Franco and the Tampa Bay Rays have finalized an $182 million, 11-year contract that includes a club option for the 2033 season.

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The Tampa Bay Rays have won more games than any other team in the American League over the past two seasons, going about their business with a quiet confidence that has the full attention of the Boston Red Sox.

Aaron Judge drove home the winning run with a one-out single in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees clinched a playoff berth on the last day of the regular season by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0.

Brandon Lowe hit three home runs and the Tampa Bay Rays rolled to a 12-2 blowout of the Yankees that prevented New York from clinching a playoff spot.

Carlos Correa hit his career-high 25th homer with a three-run shot and the Houston Astros clinched the AL West with a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Drew Rasmussen and three relievers combined for a three-hitter, Brandon Lowe and Ji-Man Choi both homered and the Tampa Bay Rays coasted past the Houston Astros 7-0, giving them the No. 1 seed in the American League playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second straight AL East title, with Mike Zunino hitting a go-ahead homer and Brandon Lowe later adding a pair of RBI doubles to beat the Miami Marlins 7-3.

Austin Meadows hit a tying, inside-the-park homer in the ninth inning, Nelson Cruz had a go-ahead single in the 10th and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied from a six-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 11-10.

Wander Franco extended his on-base streak 30 games with a two-run single, fellow rookie Luis Patiño pitched neatly into the sixth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays won their eighth in a row, beating the Boston Red Sox 6-1.

Brandon Lowe, Manuel Margot and Joey Wendle each had two hits and two RBIs, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 8-4.

The Shohei Ohtani road show heads to Cleveland after the two-way superstar thrilled opposing crowds in Detroit.

Bobby Dalbec drove in a career-high five runs, Xander Bogaerts and Hunter Renfroe each had four RBIs and the Boston Red Sox routed the Tampa Bay Rays 20-8.

Tampa Bay’s Francisco Mejía singled with the bases loaded in the ninth, Boston’s Hunter Renfroe made a costly error on the play, and it helped the Rays rally past the Red Sox 8-4 on Tuesday night.

There was history in the broadcast booth at Tropicana Field.

Five Tampa Bay pitchers combined for seven hitless innings, and the Rays beat the Indians 4-0 for a doubleheader sweep.

Kyle Schwarber led off the first inning with his 12th home run in 10 games, and the Washington Nationals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 to move above.

Kevin Kiermaier doubled off reliever Darwinzon Hernández with one out in the eighth inning for Tampa Bay’s first hit against the Boston Red Sox.

Wander Franco hit a three-run homer and doubled in his big league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays, who lost their seventh straight in falling to the Boston Red Sox 9-5 in 11 innings.

Ryan Yarbrough ended a 24-start winless skid with Tampa Bay’s first complete game in more than five years, Austin Meadows homered off shaky Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and drove in five and the Rays beat New York 9-2.

Clint Frazier hit a game-ending, two-run homer with two outs in the 11th inning after making a game-saving catch in the eighth, and the slumping New York Yankees beat the rival Tampa Bay Rays 5-3.

Mike Zunino homered, Brett Phillips had two hits during a seven-run eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Austin Meadows and Randy Arozarena homered off Domingo Germán, helping the Tampa Bay Rays extend their mastery over the New York Yankees with a 4-0 victory.

Rich Hill pitched six strong innings, Austin Meadows led a hit parade against Corey Kluber and New York’s bullpen, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Yankees 10-5 to snap a four-game skid.

Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed please dont take me. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)NEW YORK – National League MVP Freddie Freeman was one of three Atlanta Braves selected to the All-MLB first team on Wednesday night. San Diego had two players on the top team: shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado. AL MVP José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox was the first baseman on the second team, which also included Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Indians third baseman José Ramírez.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner flies out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays a baseball World Series Game 6 Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. ___10:10 p.m.With postseason star Julio Urías on the mound, the Los Angeles Dodgers are clinging to a 2-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays heading into the eighth inning. The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 3-2 World Series lead into Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, one win from their first title since 1988. “I don’t know if we’ve got any Tampa Bay Rays fans here in Orlando,” Obama said. The Globe Life Field roof will be closed for Game 6 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays.

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 1988, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser holds his World Series Most Valuable Player trophy following the Dodgers' decisive 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Ca. Since Hershiser struck out Oaklands Tony Phillips for the final out of the 1988 World Series, the Dodgers have played 5,014 regular-season games and 113 more in the postseason in pursuit of their next title. The rookie right-hander hopes to keep the World Series from reaching a Game 7 for the fourth time in five years. The Rays and Cash have impressed Roberts with their relentlessness, evidenced by their ninth-inning rally to win Game 4. Hershiser, the 1988 World Series MVP, says each time the postseason is lengthened it adds another level of uncertainty to the competition.

“I think a lot of credit goes to what he’s been able to do in this World Series for us.”Kershaw even prevented the Rays from stealing the tying run. Kershaw’s formidable resume has lacked two of the most satisfying achievements: a win deep in the World Series and a championship ring. “Kersh, a lot of credit goes to him for what we’ve been able to do in this World Series,” Treinen said. Provided a 3-0 lead, Kershaw allowed Tampa Bay to pull within a run in the third when Kiermaier singled, Yandy Díaz tripled on a ball down the right-field line that skipped past Betts and Arozarena’s single. He sets records with nine postseason homers allowed and three wild pitches in a Series game, tying a mark with two wild pitches in an inning.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)ARLINGTON, Texas – For all the talk about pride in advancing runners and manufacturing runs, teams in the postseason have really dug the long ball. Home runs drove in 235 of the 456 runs in the postseason through World Series Game 4, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That comes to 51.5%, up from 46.6% last year and highest since the postseason expanded beyond the World Series in 1969. That gave the Rays 33 homers in the postseason accounting for 52 of 76 runs (68.4%). The reason they’re in postseason, playing postseason baseball is because a lot of that coincides with great pitching and that’s what we’re seeing.

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger celebrates their win against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The roof will be closed Sunday night because of dreary conditions and an increasing chance of rain into the night. Bellinger, a National League Gold Glove finalist, was listed in center field for Game 5 after he was a late switch to designated hitter a night earlier because of back stiffness. Against Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow in Game 5, Pederson was in left and Taylor at second base. The rest was changed from Game 4, with left field Hunter Renfroe batting fifth, ahead of Wendle, shortstop Willy Adames, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino.

Rays defeated the Dodgers 8-7 to tie the series 2-2 games. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – Hours after slugging his way into World Series history, Randy Arozarena stumbled into October lore. None of those three won the World Series. Center fielder Chris Taylor bobbled the hit, chased after the ball and threw toward the plate as Arozarena rounded third. Down in the dirt, Arozarena kept pounding the plate as the Rays rushed out to celebrate with him.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):5:55 p.m. The Los Angeles Dodgers announced a tweak to their starting lineup just before they completed batting practice ahead of the start of Game 4. Just more than an hour before playing the Tampa Bay Rays, the Dodgers said Cody Bellinger would be the designated hitter and AJ Pollock would be in center field. The Rays started four right-handed hitters at the top of their batting order. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches in the World Series opener, his only action since pitching five innings against Houston in the AL Championship Series on Oct. 13.

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner celebrates their win against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Dodgers beat the Rays 6-2 to lead the series 2-1 games. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – The Tampa Bay Rays started four right-handed hitters at the top of their batting order and seven in all against Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías in World Series Game 4 on Saturday night. The Rays started four right-handed hitters at the top of their batting order. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches in the World Series opener, his only action since pitching five innings against Houston in the AL Championship Series on Oct. 13.

Justin Turner and Austin Barnes homered for Los Angeles, and Max Muncy had two hits and two RBIs heading into the eighth. ___7:25 p.m.Justin Turner put the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead 1-0 in the first inning, homering on Charlie Morton’s 14th pitch. That tied the team record set by Duke Snider over 36 games with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1954 to 1959. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the visiting team for Game 3 of the World Series, and batting first. An average of 10.42 runs have been scored in the postseason games in Arlington, including 21 total runs in the first two World Series games.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – More was not merrier for Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers. By the end of the Dodgers’ 6-4 defeat Wednesday night, which evened the Series at one game apiece, it appeared the Dodgers are down to essentially a two-man rotation of Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. Alex Wood (six outs) and Jake McGee (three) finished with shutout relief, but the damage yielded by the earlier parade of pitchers was too much to overcome. Gonsolin has a 9.82 postseason ERA, allowing eight runs in 7 1/3 innings, and May a 5.00 ERA, giving up five runs in nine innings. It remains to be seen whether this merry-go-round will be a fun ride for Roberts and the Dodgers.

After Lowe finally busted out in Game 2 of the World Series, the Rays and Dodgers are tied deep in the heart of Texas. Snell attacked with breaking pitches in the strike zone, not his usual pattern, against a Dodgers team that doesn't often chase. SHORT HOPSSnell’s nine strikeouts were the most in a World Series game by a pitcher who didn't last five innings. Dodgers: Buehler threw six shutout innings to win Game 6 of the NL Championship Series against Atlanta and force Game 7. His only previous World Series start was Game 3 against Boston in 2018, when he fired seven scoreless innings in the only game the Dodgers won.

Tampa Bay is looking to even the Fall Classic after Los Angeles won 8-3 in the opener. ___7:26 p.m.Brandon Lowe hit a home run in the first inning to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 1-0 lead, the first time they have been ahead in this World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers try to take a 2-0 World Series lead against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Los Angeles Dodgers have certainly settled into the new ballpark deep in the heart of Texas. Game 2 of the World Series will be the Dodgers’ 15th game at the $1.2 billion Globe Life Field.

Behind the pitching of Clayton Kershaw and the speed and power of Mookie Betts, the Los Angeles Dodgers lead the Tampa Bay Rays 8-3 after seven innings. ___8:45 p.m.Cody Bellinger’s two-run homer has given Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays after four innings. The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and the Rays’ Tyler Glasnow each pitched scoreless first innings in the World Series opener. It is a pleasant night for the first World Series game played in Arlington since 2011, when the Rangers played in their second consecutive World Series. ___4:37 p.m.Pentatonix will sing the national anthem before Game 1 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger celebrates his home run with Enrique Hernandez against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 7 of a baseball National League Championship Series Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – Cody Bellinger was in his normal spot in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The rest of the Rays lineup had second baseman Brandon Lowe batting second, ahead of Randy Arozarena, who has seven homers this postseason. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe was batting fourth, followed by left fielder Manuel Margot, third baseman Joey Wendle, shortstop Willy Adames, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino. Kiermaier was still dealing with a sore left wrist after getting hit by a 99 mph fastball in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against Houston.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)ARLINGTON, Texas – The World Series matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays is a rare meeting of baseball’s best for the title, and a matchup of organizations with Andrew Friedman’s imprint. They also won a Game 7, topping Houston 4-2 in the ALCS and earning the second World Series trip in franchise history. “From the moment that we were able to put a season together, once they figured out that COVID thing, everybody was expecting us to get to the World Series. We were expecting to get to the World Series,” said Kiké Hernández, who tied Game 7 with a pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning. Evan Longoria, Willy Aybar and Rocco Baldelli then lost to Philadelphia in a World Series that remains the second-lowest viewed since television ratings are available dating to 1968.

George Springer and José Altuve delivered big hits, Framber Valdéz pitched six brilliant innings and the Astros beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the third straight time, 7-4 Friday to force a deciding Game 7 of the AL Championship Series. Despite blowing a 3-0 series lead, they remain one win from the second World Series in franchise history — and one loss from joining the 2004 Yankees in ignominy. Game 7 on Saturday night will feature the pitchers who started and finished Houston’s Game 7 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series. He has yet to win a World Series as a manager. As a player, he helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win four straight World Series games in 1981 after falling behind the New York Yankees 0-2.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)SAN DIEGO – Except for an occasional homer, the Tampa Bay Rays’ offense has fallen largely silent on the brink of the World Series. “That big hit has continued to elude us with guys on base,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. Tampa Bay went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position in Game 5 after going 1 for 4 in Game 4. “We’ve been streaky throughout the course of these playoffs,” Tampa Bay outfielder Kevin Kiermaier said. That's something of a rarity in this postseason, when Tampa Bay has been practically perfect in each game.

The Astros defeated the Rays 4-3 and the Rays lead the series 3-2 games. The Astros forced Game 6 on Friday, a rematch of the first game started by left-handers Blake Snell of Tampa Bay and Valdéz. Otherwise, big league clubs leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series are 37-1. Correa also hit a walkoff homer in Game 2 of the 2017 ALCS off Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees. Houston became the first team with a leadoff and walk-off home run in a postseason game.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)SAN DIEGO – Kevin Kiermaier and the Tampa Bay Rays — with big assists from two former Padres who know Petco Park's outfield well — are one win from the second World Series berth in franchise history. “We’ve played just tremendous defense all season long,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. Kiermaier, the longest-tenured Tampa Bay player, said it was “an amazing feeling” to be so close to going to the Fall Classic. Wendle lined a single off third baseman Alex Bregman's glove to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead. Paredes hit Kiermaier on the hand to load the bases and then grazed Willy Adames on the pinkie with a pitch to bring in another run.

SAN DIEGO – José Altuve has an undeniable case of the yips, and it's hurting the Houston Astros badly in the playoffs. Altuve also made two throwing errors in Game 2 of the series, contributing significantly to the Astros' 4-2 loss. With two runners on base, the Astros removed starter José Urquidy, who had been pitching well before Altuve's mistake. After his second error, Correa took Altuve's normal spot in the Astros' shift, and he retained the spot in Game 3. I’m sure he’ll do that.”Altuve also made a throwing error in Game 2 of the first-round series against Minnesota.

“We were down 0-2 in the World Series last year with (ALCS Game 3 starter) José Urquidy and (ALCS Game 4 starter Zack) Greinke coming up next to pitch for us,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. The Astros have made three errors in two games, while the Rays have played sparkling defense all across the diamond. I’m sure he’ll do that.”After the second error, Correa moved into the spot normally occupied by Altuve in the shift. Altuve's first error put the Astros in a hole they never escaped, even with a superb start from McCullers. After getting nine hits and just one run in Game 1, the Astros ended their 13-inning scoreless streak with Correa's homer.

Asked which was bigger in the 4-2 victory against the Houston Astros, Margot said through a translator: “Definitely the home run. He played one game in right field in 2016 and the rest of his time in San Diego was spent in center. “To have the ability to know where you’re at, and kind of be able to say, ‘Forget it, I know I’m going to hit something but I’m going in,’ and still hang on to the ball, was really, really impressive,” manager Kevin Cash said. It was an unbelievable play that he made on the right field line, putting himself in a dangerous place. “Everybody is really, really supportive of him and just so happy for what he's accomplished.”Morton improved to 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA in the last two postseasons.

(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)SAN DIEGO – Mike Brosseau said he wasn't seeking revenge against hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman, just the chance to keep playing. Brosseau drove a 100 mph fastball into the left field seats at Petco Park for the Rays' third hit. Brosseau and Chapman have a history: Chapman threw a 101 mph fastball near Brosseau’s head Sept. 1 in the ninth inning of a Rays’ 5-3 victory. After winning the AL Division Series 3-2, Tampa Bay will stay in San Diego to face the Houston Astros in the AL Championship Series starting Sunday night. Tampa Bay was eliminated by the Astros in the ALDS last year.

New York Yankees' Luke Voit, right, celebrates with Gleyber Torres (25) after Voit hit a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game 4 of a baseball American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in San Diego. Asked the Yankees mentality for Game 5, Voit said, “We're going to win it." It's a rematch of last year’s ALDS Game 5 between Houston and Tampa Bay. “We've seen him," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. Tampa Bay loaded the bases in the third but got just one run, on Brandon Lowe’s fielder’s choice.

Tampa Bay Rays' Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, right, of Japan, celebrates with teammates after a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. The Tampa Bay Rays, long accustomed to doing more with less, figured out a way to maximize the division-clinching celebration they were allowed to enjoy during a 2020 season shortened by the coronavirus. Randy Arozarena homered twice and the Rays clinched their first AL East title in 10 years Wednesday night with an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets. Tampa Bay will be home at quirky Tropicana Field for a best-of-three first-round playoff series beginning next Tuesday. Tampa Bay, which began play in 1998, also won the AL East, home of two big-spending powers in the Yankees and Red Sox, in 2008 and 2010.

Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe, right, and Willy Adames celebrate after defeating the Boston Red Sox during a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Boston. The Red Sox (6-13), who own the ALs worst record, have lost four straight. Rays starter Tyler Glasnow went four innings, giving up five runs on eight hits, striking out eight and walking two. Red Sox: SS Xander Bogaerts had the day off. Red Sox: Roenicke said itll be a bullpen game in the opener of a four-game series against the Yankees in New York on Friday.