The team’s graciousness started when Rays president Brian Auld
released a statement on Wednesday proclaiming, “The Oriole bird is certainly welcome to make the trip and will be welcomed at the Trop.” The sentiment continued Friday when Rays fans held up signs at the game saying “our hearts are with Baltimore” and “prayers for Baltimore.” A peace sign within the Orioles logo was particularly poignant.

And, though these things may seem like small gestures,
the Rays playing John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” during Saturday’s seventh-inning stretch and the team shipping in Berger cookies for the media in time for Friday’s opener, were icing on the cake.

Thank you, Rays fans. We certainly feel, and appreciate, the love.

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Stud of the Week for September 1-7:
Nelson Cruz

The Line:
Cruz extended his career high in home runs (39) and RBIs (101) and, by far, has the team’s highest slugging percentage at .531.

Studliest Moment:
Trailing Tampa Bay 4-2 yesterday in the ninth inning, Cruz cleared the bases with a triple down the first-base line, giving the Orioles a 5-4 lead.

The Clincher:
As if his two-run shot in the sixth and game-saving triple in the ninth weren’t enough, when the O’s went into extra innings, Cruz came to the rescue again. In the top of the 11th, with Nick Hundley on first, Cruz hits another bomb to left-center, winning us and the game and ultimately giving him seven RBIs for the day, the most for an Oriole since 2009. 

While he rounded the bases, it was hard to distinguish Rays’ fans boos and the visiting Orioles fans’ “Cruuuuz.” Either way, it was a sweet, sweet sound.

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Stud of the Week for June 22-30:
Chris Tillman

The Line:
The 26-year-old went 1-0 last week, allowing just four hits and a walk in eight innings against Tampa Bay on Friday night.

Studliest Moment:
After allowing a leadoff home run in the top of the second, Tillman set the next seven Rays down in order to re-establish control of the game. After having dropped the first game of the doubleheader, the O’s needed Tillman to respond with a great outing to salvage a split and the right-hander delivered.

The Clincher:
After a long rocky stretch, Tillman appears to have regained some velocity and command on his fastball and suddenly he again looks like the pitcher that won 16 games last season. Over the last month, he’s gone 3-2, averaging more than seven innings a start while posting a 2.78 era.

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Stud of the Week for June 16-22:
Steve Pearce

The Line:
Pearce currently has the best batting average on the team of .339 and has had four multi-hit games in a row.

Studliest Moment:
After tinkering with his batting stance, Pearce really began to shine early last week against the Rays—batting .500 in the series with three doubles and three RBIs. This led Buck Showalter to move Pearce up to the No. 2 spot in the order, shifting Manny Machado down to seventh.

The Clincher:
The outfielder found himself in a bit of a predicament yesterday against the Yankees, when he was sent to third by a ground ball from Nelson Cruz. Yanks third basement Kelly Johnson fielded the ball and stepped on the bag, but was tripped by a sliding Pearce. Manager Joe Girardi came out to argue interference on the play, but the call stood as an error on Johnson. 

We agree that his slide wasn’t intended to hurt Johnson, but just a good defensive move. Not only can he hit plenty of RBIs, but he can prevent double plays, too.

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