BALTIMORE (AP) — B.J. Upton doubled twice and took two walks to set a Tampa Bay record by reaching base in nine straight plate appearances, and the resurgent Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Monday night for their fifth straight victory.
Ben Zobrist had three hits and three RBIs for the Rays, who have won eight of nine to move within three games of idle Boston in the AL wild-card race. Tampa Bay trailed the Red Sox by nine games on Sept. 2.
Upton went 4 for 4 with a walk on Sunday against Boston, then reached base four successive times against the Orioles before striking out in the eighth inning. Eight times previously a Tampa Bay player got on base in eight straight plate appearances, the last one Upton in May 2008.
