The Latest Breaking News from Yandy Diaz

BALTIMORE — Manager Kevin Cash has talked repeatedly about the need for his Rays to be more productive offensively, especially early in games. So when they scored three runs over the first two innings Wednesday, they seemed to be on the right track.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Shut down and shut out through six innings Thursday, the Rays rallied for five runs in the seventh and beat the Red Sox, 5-4, to complete a four-game series sweep.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If American League/Astros manager Dusty Baker or Major League Baseball officials somehow need any more convincing that Shane McClanahan deserves to start next week’s All-Star Game, he gave it to them Wednesday.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Injuries and an often impotent offense have caused the Rays all kinds of problems over the last few weeks.

CINCINNATI — Shane McClanahan gave the Rays another strong start Friday, but they couldn’t take advantage and lost to the Reds, 2-1.

BOSTON — Corey Kluber acknowledges too much inconsistency this season, feeling there is plenty he can build on and improve on over the next few months.

BOSTON — Jeffrey Springs had been going through a lot over the past week, with his 5-month-old son, Stetson, hospitalized in St. Petersburg, Fla., for undisclosed reasons.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rookie Shane Baz did his part Tuesday, working impressively into the sixth inning as his pitch count climbed into the mid-90s, keeping the Brewers off the board in protecting a one-run lead.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After an unimpressive start with runners in scoring position and on the base paths, the Rays finally broke through in the seventh inning Sunday against the Pirates.

BALTIMORE — The challenge for the Rays has been to score runs, and that they did Saturday, snapping a 15-inning drought that started Thursday.

NEW YORK — Tuesday night’s Gerrit Cole vs. Corey Kluber matchup may have been the main event a few years ago, but Wednesday night was the marquee pitching matchup everyone in baseball was waiting for. Nestor Cortes and the Yankees bullpen held off the Rays bats to beat their young…