JASON ADAM

Jeffrey Springs pitched neatly into the sixth inning, Christian Bethancourt hit a two-run homer in the seventh, and the Tampa Bay Rays moved within five games of the AL East-leading New York Yankees with a 9-0 victory.

Randy Arozarena hit a three-run homer off Nestor Cortes in the first inning and the Tampa Bay staff made it stand up, leading the Rays over the skidding New York Yankees 3-1.

The slumping New York Yankees were shut out in consecutive games for the first time since 2016, losing to Ryan Yarbrough and the Tampa Bay Rays 4-0.

Rasmussen allowed his first baserunner when Jorge Mateo doubled down the left-field line on the first pitch of the ninth. Mateo, who went 5 for 5 on Friday night, later scored on a Rasmussen wild pitch. There hasn’t been a perfect game in the majors since Seattle’s Felix Hernandez accomplished the feat at home against the Rays on Aug. 15, 2012. Tampa Bay has never thrown a perfect game. Rays: LHP Ryan Yarbrough (0-7) will start or follow an opener against the New York Yankees on Monday night.

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.

Rays Reds Baseball Cincinnati Reds' Tyler Naquin celebrates with teammates, including Jonathan India, after a balk by Tampa Bay Rays' Jason Adam scored the winning run during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Cincinnati, Friday, July 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster) (Aaron Doster)CINCINNATI — (AP) — 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 on Friday night. It was the majors' first game-ending balk since Dylan Floro for the Dodgers in a 5-4 loss at Seattle on Aug. 18, 2018. UP NEXTReds right-hander Hunter Greene (3-10, 6.01 ERA) and Rays righty Drew Rasmussen (5-3, 3.30 ERA) pitch on Saturday. Rasmussen is making his second start since coming off the injured list after being sidelined by a left hamstring strain.

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.

Paul Goldschmidt extended his career-best on-base streak to 45 games with a two-out walk and went to second when Nolan Arenado singled for the Cardinals' second hit. Albert Pujols hit a soft comebacker that McClanahan failed to catch barehanded. Pujols picked up his 1, 374th extra-base hit in the second when Rays second baseman Vidal Bruján overran his pop fly in shallow right field for a double. “I think both of them have meant quite a bit to the game,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. UP NEXTCardinals: Right-hander Andre Pallante (1-0) will go against Cincinnati righty Luis Castillo (1-3) on Friday night in St. Louis.

"It's not judgmental. It's not looking down," said one of the players in a statement, citing religious beliefs.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — A number of Tampa Bay Rays players decided not to wear rainbow-colored logos on their uniforms as part of the team’s annual “Pride Night” on Saturday that recognized the LGBTQ community. Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash addressed it after Sunday's game, saying he doesn't think it'll negatively impact the clubhouse because discussions among the players over past few weeks were constructive and emphasized the value of differing perspectives. "It's just what we believe the lifestyle he's (Jesus) encouraged us to live for our good, not to withhold," Adam told the Tampa Bay Times. Critics argue that the law's true intent is to marginalize LGBTQ people and their families. Members of the LGBTQ community took part in pregame activities and mini LGBTQ flags were given out to fans.

A number of Tampa Bay Rays players decided not to wear rainbow-colored logos on their uniforms as part of the team’s annual “Pride Night” on Saturday that recognized the LGBTQ community.

Red Sox Rays Baseball Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam attempts to pick off Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 23, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) (Phelan M. Ebenhack)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays lost their bid for a combined no-hitter when Bobby Dalbec hit an RBI triple for the Boston Red Sox in the 10th inning on Saturday night. The game was scoreless before Dalbec drove in automatic runner Jackie Bradley Jr. with his leadoff hit against Matt Wisler. Christian Vázquez then hit a sacrifice fly to give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead at Tropicana Field. J.P. Feyereisen opened for Tampa Bay and pitched two innings. Tampa Bay has only two hits heading into the bottom of the 10th.

Red Sox Rays Baseball Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam attempts to pick off Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 23, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) (Phelan M. Ebenhack)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have a combined no-hit bid heading into the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. J.P. Feyereisen opened for Tampa Bay and pitched two innings. Javy Guerra then got two outs before Jeffrey Springs pitched two innings. The Red Sox have five walks, and Trevor Story reached in the third when second baseman Brandon Lowe committed an error on the fielder's choice grounder. Tampa Bay has only two hits.

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

The surging St. Louis Cardinals soared to their 13th straight win, using homers by Paul Goldschmidt and Tyler O’Neill to top the Chicago Cubs 8-5 in the opener of a doubleheader.

The surging St. Louis Cardinals emphatically matched a team record with their 14th straight wint, pounding the Chicago Cubs 12-4 in the second game of doubleheader behind Tyler O’Neill’s three-run homer and a pair of solo shots by Lars Nootbaar.

Willson Contreras struck back after getting plunked again by the Brewers, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Chicago Cubs rallied past Milwaukee 3-2 on Tuesday night.

With the team facing a COVID-19 scare, Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday night after the right-hander indicated he wasn’t feeling well.

The Red Sox and Twins are scheduled to begin their series in Minnesota a day late.

The Chicago Cubs are concerned about a possible COVID-19 outbreak after two coaches tested positive for the virus and three relievers were placed on the COVID-19-related injured list.