Rays showcase 'best in the league' abilities

ST. PETERSBURG -- The biggest moment of the Rays’ latest victory came in the seventh inning, when Randy Arozarena rode a low-and-away changeup from César Valdez out to center field for his first career grand slam. That blast put the game well out of reach and set off a celebration at Tropicana Field, capped by Arozarena doing pushups upon his return to the home dugout.

But this is not a team built on the strength of its lineup. As ever, the Rays rely on their pitching and defense -- and doing both better than their opponents -- to form the foundation of their success. That was on full display once again in their 7-1 win over the Orioles on Sunday afternoon.

“That's us: pitching and trying to prevent runs and just playing really, really strong defense. I think that's what puts us in a position to where we have a chance to be special,” manager Kevin Cash said. “The hitting -- we all recognize how challenging it is, and it comes and goes at times. Right now, we're getting a lot of big hits with it, and I think that's why we're winning at the clip that we are.”

First, take a moment to appreciate that clip. The Rays have been the hottest team in the Majors for more than a month now. They’ve won 23 of their last 28 games since May 13 -- outscoring opponents by 86 runs during that stretch -- and have won 37 of 53 since April 16. Their extended hot streak has helped them build up baseball’s best record, at 42-24.

The Rays now lead the American League East by a season-high three games after completing their seventh sweep of the season. Some observers might wonder how Tampa Bay has done it again, playing like a powerhouse despite featuring one of the league’s lowest payrolls and a roster that’s not packed with household names. But it’s not a huge secret.

As Cash put it Sunday morning: “What surprises me is that it’s so easy to recognize why we’re doing it: Our players are good.”

“When you think about what this team is doing, every pitcher gets their outs. All the baserunners will take that extra base if they need it,” Arozarena said through interpreter Manny Navarro. “We kind of all have to contribute in our own individual way in order to help the team collectively.”

That’s been the formula over the last month, as the Rays' deep and talented roster has played at a high level in just about every aspect of the game -- especially pitching and defense. It all showed up again on Sunday against Baltimore.

The Rays’ pitching was excellent. Multi-inning opener Michael Wacha gave up one run on two singles and a walk in two innings, then Josh Fleming, Matt Wisler, Andrew Kittredge and Jeffrey Springs followed with seven hitless innings. They combined to retire the final 19 batters the Orioles sent to the plate.

In doing so, Tampa Bay’s bullpen lowered its ERA to an AL-best 3.05, including a 1.59 mark in the last 17 games.

“We're the best bullpen, I think, in the league,” said Fleming, who walked one and struck out three in four innings. “It's comforting to know [that] any time those guys come in the game, we're going to, most of the time, end up with a win.”

The Rays’ pitchers have a similar degree of confidence that, if a ball is put in play, it’s going to be an out. And their defense was sublime again on Sunday, highlighted by center fielder Brett Phillips’ sliding grab to end the sixth inning.

In the first inning, second baseman Mike Brosseau and shortstop Taylor Walls turned a double play to transform a two-on, nobody-out jam into an easy escape for Wacha. In the second, Joey Wendle made an excellent play to retire Freddy Galvis on a bunt attempt. Brosseau and Brandon Lowe made a few stellar plays at second, ranging from a shifted position and teaming up with first baseman Yandy Díaz to turn grounders into outs.

“I think I said it a couple days ago: Our defense is the best in the league,” Fleming said. “Anytime a ball is hit on the ground, in the air, our guys are going to come up with it.”

The numbers support Fleming’s case. The Rays entered the day as the top defensive team in the Majors by two prominent metrics: outs above average (24) and defensive runs saved, which gave them a comically large edge (55 DRS to 34) over the second-ranked Padres.

“They work so hard,” Cash said. “It's nice when it comes together and we're able to do the things that we're capable of behind the pitchers.”

And Tampa Bay's offense got the job done in a variety of ways too, with a variety of contributors. Rookie shortstop Walls scored one run in the third and drove in two more in the fourth to put the Rays on top. In the seventh, Phillips worked his third walk of the game to start a rally that ended with Arozarena’s slam.

“I'm very happy for me to hit that ball out, and I know for the team that we're out here trying to get the wins. And luckily, we are,” Arozarena said. “We're a good team. We're a first-place team now, and that motivates us to keep on playing.”