Diaz, Mullins homers power AL-leading Rays to a 9-4 win over the Padres for 80th victory

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Diaz and Cedric Mullins each hit a home run and drove in two runs each, as the AL-leading team defeated the San Diego Padres 9-4. In the fourth inning, the Rays scored five runs, primarily through two singles by Taylor Walls and Diaz. Shane McClanahan (10-6) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and four runs, three earned, with two walks and four strikeouts.

Chandler Simpson contributed two hits and two stolen bases, scoring twice as the Rays (80-54) extended their winning streak to four games. This victory marked the first time the Rays reached 80 wins in an American League season. Casey Mize (5-8) gave up seven runs, two earned, on six hits in five innings. Jackson Merrill hit a home run for San Diego, which is 8-2 in its last 10 games.

Diaz leads the team in home runs this season with 20, bringing his career total to 119. Tampa Bay's offense was dominant in the fourth inning, scoring five runs with just two hits.