MLB: Rays, Braves and Marlins

The Tampa Bay Rays dropped their fourth-straight game Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles 5-4. This was the Rays seventh loss out of their last eight, and Tampa’s 4-9 record matches a franchise-worst start set in both 2001 and 2005. The game wasn’t all bad, however.

Desmond Jennings got a homer on the game’s first pitch for Tampa Bay, which is the first time this season that Baltimore gave up a first-inning run. The Rays trailed 5-1 in the eighth until Kelly Johnson and Evan Longoria homered off Pedro Strop to cut the lead to 5-4, but that’s as close as the Rays got.

Rays manager, Joe Maddon, knows his team should have hit better against Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta.

The Rays will face the Orioles again on Wednesday at Camden Yards starting at 7:05 p.m.

The Atlanta Braves continued their winning streak Tuesday night, beating the Kansas City Royals 6-3. The Braves 10th-straight win is the longest hot streak since the club won 15-straight on April 15 thorugh May 2 in 2000.

Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Dan Uggla all homered in the eighth inning for the Braves. Juan Francisco also hit a solo home run in the second inning and again in the seventh. The Braves will take on the Royals again Wednesday afternoon at Turner Field. First pitch is set for 12:10 p.m.

The Miami Marlins got their third win of the season Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals 8-2. The Marlins have lost four games this season against the Nationals, including Monday night’s 10-2 loss. This was their first win against Washington.

The Marlins surprised Nats pitcher Dan Haren when their offense came alive. Adeiny Hechavarria hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning, Justin Ruggiano drove in three runs and Greg Dobbs batted in two as Miami posted a season-high in runs.

Marlins manager, Mike Redmond is glad to finally see a nine-game home run drought broken.

The Marlins will play the Nationals Wednesday night at Marlins Park starting at 7:10 p.m.