Rays Sweep Padres, Extend Winning Streak to Five

The Tampa Bay Rays swept the San Diego Padres in a three-game series, marking their longest winning streak in nearly a year and bringing their record back to .500. Strong pitching performances, including seven scoreless innings from Shane Baz and solid outings from Ryan Pepiot and Zack Littell, anchored the Rays' success. Key contributions came from rookie Chandler Simpson, who sparked multiple rallies and continued his impressive hitting streak, as well as timely hitting from Taylor Walls and Brandon Lowe. The Padres, meanwhile, struggled offensively, being shut out in the series opener and managing only one run in each of the next two games, while injuries continued to mount for their roster. The Rays' sweep extended their West Coast road trip success, while the Padres' recent slump saw them lose ground in the standings. Overall, Tampa Bay's balanced team effort and effective pitching were central to their dominance over San Diego during the series.