In an American League East division that includes four winning teams, the Orioles are taking full advantage of the one non-contender.
The Birds continued their 2016 dominance of the Tampa Bay Rays with an 11-2 blowout victory Sept. 6, assuring a series win by taking the first two games at Tropicana Field. The Orioles are now 11-3 against the Rays this season and have won four of the five series, including two sweeps. They'll have a chance to complete a third sweep during the series finale Sept. 7.
The Orioles put their Sept. 6 game out of reach early, exploding for a six-run fourth inning that essentially buried the Rays. Third baseman Manny Machado punctuated the offensive onslaught with a grand slam, his third of the season, as part of his five-RBI night. First baseman Chris Davis and center fielder Adam Jones added homers as well, though Davis had to leave the game in the fifth inning with a sore left palm.
