Tampa Bay was close to pitching the first combined perfect game in MLB history.

MLB wrap: Rays almost make history in win over Orioles


The Rays were three outs away from history Sunday.

Tampa Bay was close to pitching the first combined perfect game in MLB history.

The Rays used an opener against the Orioles, which was first made popular by the team. It would have been the first time multiple pitchers pulled off the feat as all 23 previous perfect games have been thrown by a single pitcher.

Ryne Stanek started the game for the Rays and pitched two innings. Ryan Yarbrough took over and threw the next six innings without allowing a baserunner. He stayed on to start the ninth, but it was there Tampa Bay's impressive outing was sullied. 

Yarbrough allowed a single to leadoff hitter Hanser Alberto to end the team's chance at history.

“It would have been pretty sweet to finish it off like that,” Stanek said, via MLB.com. “If you’re the first to do something in baseball, you did something.”

Baltimore went on to record three hits in the losing effort.

Austin Meadows and Mike Brosseau each hit a home run to highlight the Rays' offensive efforts.

Anthony Santander delivered the Orioles' only run with an RBI single .

Studs of the Night

Masahiro Tanaka pitched six innings allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out five in the Yankees' 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Robinson Cano hit a home run in his second consecutive game as the Mets beat the Marlins, 6-2.

Duds of the Night

White Sox shortstop Jose Rondon made a throwing error in an effort to start a double play in the ninth inning against the Athletics, who turned it into a scoring opportunity to win 3-2.

Tyler Mahle allowed 12 hits and six earned runs in the Reds' 10-9 loss to the Rockies.

Highlights

The Astros love grand slams. José Altuve hit the team's ninth slam of the season, which is the most in MLB — no other team has recorded more than five.

What a save by Ronald Acuña Jr.

Max Muncy drew a bases-loaded walk in the 12th inning to put the Dodgers ahead for good in the five-plus hour contest against the Red Sox.

What's Next?

Braves (57-37) at Brewers (48-46), 8:10 p.m. ET — The Brewers are trying to catch up to the National League Central-leading Cubs but first have to get through the Braves. Atlanta holds the top spot in the NL East and have won seven of its last 10 games. The Brewers will send Adrian Houser (2-3, 4.01) to the mound with the hopes of jump-starting the second half of the season. The Braves will counter with Max Fried (9-4, 4.29).