Not since Sherman has anyone marched into Atlanta and laid waste like the Rays did in this series, scoring a combined 32 runs in a 3-game sweep.
A 5-run 2nd and a 4-run 5th saw the Rays annihilate Atlanta 9-2 in the opener.
Danny Arroyave had an RBI double and a 3-run homer (#18),
Luis Berumen had a solo shot (#22) and
Jake Westfall doubled twice and drove in a pair to lead the offense while
Joe Marlette (14-5) was once again untouchable at 7 1 0 0 3 7.
The Rays broke open the second game with an 8-run 5th and went to beat Atlanta by the football score of 14-6.
Bobby Marin was 4-6 with 3 runs scored and a homer to lead off the game (#15),
Luis Berumen homered again (#23) and drove in 3,
Danny Charlton was 4-5 with a double and 2 RBI and
Justin Blackwell was 3-5 with 3 RBI including a 2-run triple as the Rays were constantly circling the bases.
Chris Ferguson's lousy run continued as he was 5 6 6 4 3 1 but still got the win to improve to 5-8. He's now had 5 poor starts in a row, allowing 20 runs in 21 1/3 IP.
Tampa Bay took the finale and the sweep with a 9-5 win that really wasn't that close as Atlanta scored 3 times in the 9th.
Luis Berumen made Truist Park his personal playground this week as he homered two more times, driving in 5 and giving him 24 longballs for the year after a 5-11, 4 HR, 9 RBI series.
Danny Arroyave also capped a big series by going 4-5 with a 2-run shot (#19) and
Claus Hoppenbrouwers also found the seats for the 5th time this season.
Joe Scheu (10-5) wasn't scharp, but got the win after going 5 6 2 2 4 3.
Team record: 71-36, and now 9 1/2 up on Toronto. Unless the race starts getting closer again I'm not going to bother updating it. Next up: A day off then 3 games in Washington, always a tough locale for us.
We also made a couple of moves ahead of the trade deadline.
RP Matt Cronin was claimed off waivers from Philadelphia.
He's baaaack! Ironically we claimed on waivers last July 31 from the Mets and he was great down the stretch, then signed a free-agent deal with Philly, who waived him despite pitching to a 3.60 ERA and earning 0.9 WAR as a swingman so we brought him back again to give us a much needed lefty in the bullpen.
Jeremy Brooks was optioned to Durham to make room. And speaking of re-acquiring players:
The Reds put Ko on the trading block despite his making the All-Star Game and earning 3.8 WAR so far this season. And all he cost was Ramos, our 4th-round pick in 2030 who profiles as a decent backup and a possible job-share. We had signed Ko as an international FA a couple of winters ago and after an OK season at Durham he was dealt to the Reds for
Ajani Riddick this past offseason. Ko had 28 HR and 85 BB as he's a Kyle Schwarber-type at the plate but unlike Schwarber a fine corner outfielder defender. Just before the deal he fractured a rib and will be out a month so he's probably a September add to the bench.