The red-hot Tampa Bay Rays look to keep rolling Tuesday night in the second contest of their four-games series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles.
It will be pretty hard to top the overall performance from Monday’s 7-1 win in the first meeting with their American League East rival.
The Rays’ offense has scored seven runs or more in four straight wins — three at the New York Mets and the six-run thrashing of Baltimore, which entered on a three-game winning streak.
Tampa Bay has outscored the opposition 31-10 during the explosive four-game streak.
Back in the lineup after an injured list stint due to a left groin strain, speedy outfielder Jake Mangum has been a spark plug throughout.
The 29-year-old former Mississippi State star, who holds the all-time Southeastern Conference record for hits, went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a run in the win. His speed produced two infield hits.
In his past 15 games, the switch-hitting Mangum is batting .304 with 14 RBIs and is 11-for-22 with runners in scoring position. He is 10-for-10 overall in stolen bases.
“We trust everybody,” Mangum said of the offense. “I don’t care who’s up in the lineup. I don’t care who’s playing that night. We have a great thing in this clubhouse … We have faith in the guys behind us.”
The Rays will send out Zack Littell (6-6, 3.84), who lost his last start in Boston against the Red Sox.
Earlier this season, the right-hander was 0-5 with a 5.28 ERA after the Rays lost 5-1 at the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 22.
However, Littell crafted his way to victories in six of his next eight starts.
The strike-throwing Littell has had seven outings against Baltimore, five of them starts, and is 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA.
Interim manager Tony Mansolino said his Orioles did not get the usual outing from starter Zach Eflin but added that the second-place Rays were impressive as they streaked to their 19th win in 25 games (.760 winning percentage) since May 20.
Mansolino credited the eight overpowering innings by Rays starter Ryan Pepiot as the difference.
“The heat’s a factor, but (Eflin) grew up in this area,” Mansolino said. “It was more their pitching today than anything for me. It was Pepiot’s night. He made it really hard on our hitters.
“They’re as advertised. It’s contact, it’s speed, some home runs in there, too. It’s pitching, it’s defense. It’s a really good team right now that’s playing great.”
In the second matchup, Dean Kremer (5-7, 4.99) will pitch in his 15th game when he makes his 14th start.
The right-hander will be looking to rebound from consecutive losses.
At the Athletics in his first June start and against the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers last Thursday, the 29-year-old surrendered nine runs and 13 hits in 12 1/3 innings, a 6.57 ERA with batters hitting .271.
Kremer, who tossed seven frames against Detroit following opener Keegan Akin, has made seven career starts against Tampa Bay, with a 2-1 record and 2.31 ERA.
–Field Level Media
