The Tampa Bay Rays got offense from all-around, as five players drove in runs to extend their winning streak to a season-best five games to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 8-4 Wednesday at Camden Yards.
RAYS CHASE COBB WITH BIG FIFTH: In his first start against the team that drafted and developed him, Alex Cobb had allowed just a single run to the Rays and led 3-1 through four innings, but Tampa Bay's bat got to the right-hander leading off the fifth, as Adeiny Hechavarria singled to start the inning, followed by a bunt base hit by Denard Span. C.J. Cron then tied the game with a double in to the left field corner to plate both Hechavarria and Span.
Fly balls by Carlos Gomez and Brad Miller allowed the Rays to break the tie, and Tampa Bay kept the pressure on Cobb with a double by Robertson followed by an RBI single by Joey Wendle to cap what would be a four-run inning.
EIGHT IS ENOUGH FOR TAMPA BAY OFFENSE: The Rays continued to pour it on later in the contest. After Chance Sisco cut the lead back to a single run in the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer, but Hechavarria got the run back in the sixth off reliever Miguel Castro with his second home run in as many games.
Wendle made it 7-4 in the seventh with an RBI single off Tanner Scott, and scored on an RBI double by Wilson Ramos, giving the Rays a fourth straight game with eight runs scored. It's the first time in franchise history a Rays team has scored eight runs or more in four straight contests.
VENTERS MAKES IT ALL THE WAY BACK: Tampa Bay reliever Jonny Venters only faced one batter Wednesday, but it was the culmination of a long road back to the Major Leagues.
Venters, who had not played in a big league game since the 2012 National League Wild Card game, began the sixth and got Chris Davis to ground out to third baseman Daniel Robertson. Manager Kevin Cash then got the baseball from Venters, who returned to the dugout to congratulations from his teammates.
THURSDAY'S SCHEDULE
Rays at Baltimore Orioles, Camden Yards, 7:05 p.m. first pitch, with coverage on WDAE beginning at 6:00 with The Inside Pitch presented by Crown Eurocars
Rays Starter - RHP Chris Archer (1-1, 6.59 ERA)
Orioles Starter - RHP Dylan Bundy (1-2, 1.42 ERA)
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday - Rays at Boston Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. first pitch
Saturday - Rays at Boston Red Sox, 4:05 p.m. first pitch
Sunday - Rays at Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p/m/ first pitch