SEATTLE — Willy Aybar and Shawn Riggans, the Nos. 8 and 9 hitters in Tampa Bay’s lineup, both hit three-run homers, and the Rays set a franchise record with their 71st win in an 11-3 rout of the Seattle Mariners on Sunday.
Tampa Bay’s previous best record came in 2004 when the Rays finished the season 70-92. After taking three of four in Seattle, the Rays are 71-46 and own a 4½-game lead over Boston in the AL East, their largest advantage since July 6.
And on the day the Rays learned they’ll be without outfield star Carl Crawford for at least two weeks, and possibly longer, it was again everyone in Tampa Bay’s lineup chipping in.
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