CINCINNATI — Even with an early 12:36 p.m. start, the Rays didn’t waste any time rolling to another easy win Wednesday.
They scored six runs in the first off debuting Reds starter Levi Stoudt during the 8-0 victory.
That sent the Rays home with an MLB-leading 16-3 record, the best since the 2018 Red Sox started 17-2 and matching the third best in modern history.
After seeing their modern-day record-tying streak of 13 wins to open the season end in Toronto last Friday and losing the next day, the Rays have won three of their last four.
They continue to do some other history-challenging things.
When Yandy Diaz hit Stoudt’s third pitch of the game over the left-center-field fence, the Rays had extended their streak of homering every game to within one of the record 20 by the 2019 Mariners.
They lead the majors with 42 homers — second most for a team through 19 games — and also with 133 runs, while allowing only 50.
Their run differential of plus-83 is the best of any team through 19 games in the modern era, surpassing the plus-79 of the 1905 New York Giants.
With Drew Rasmussen working a strong first five innings, the Rays also posted their majors-most sixth shutout.
After Diaz’s homer, the Rays quickly added on. Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena singled, Isaac Paredes doubled in a run, Josh Lowe singled in two and Manuel Margot doubled in another. Margot then scored on a balk by Stoudt. By the time Diaz flied out to end the inning, they batted around for the fifth time this season.
The Rays added runs in the third and sixth innings. And in the ninth, for the second straight day, they faced a Reds position player on the mound.
