Tampa Bay Rays hold AL's best record at All-Star Break despite loss to Mariners

Tampa Bay Rays enter the All-Star break with the American League's best record despite a 2-8 loss to the Seattle Mariners on July 12.

What happened in St. Petersburg?

The Rays couldn't finish the first-half series sweep at Tropicana Field. Seattle Mariners took the finale 8-2, leaving Tampa Bay with a frustrating end to the stretch. Ian Seymour lasted just 3.1 innings on the mound, coughing up five earned runs on six hits while walking three. Four relievers followed, but none could fully clean up the mess, allowing two more earned runs over the final 5.2 frames.

Why the Rays still control their fate

Despite Sunday's setback, Tampa Bay holds a 56-38 record — the best in the American League as of July 14. The team also boasts a sparkling 35-15 mark at home this season. They lead the AL East by three games over the New York Yankees, even with a month still to play before their head-to-head matchups.

What went wrong in the loss?

Seymour started strong in the first, but the Mariners pounced in the second. Three runs crossed on a mix of hits and walks, and the damage only grew from there. The Rays' bats managed just four hits against seven Mariners pitchers, including a late two-run homer by Jonathan Aranda — his 14th of the year.

What's next for Tampa Bay Rays?

The Rays now head into a five-day break before resuming play on the road. Their eight-game trip starts Friday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. Griffin Jax (5-6, 3.47 ERA) is slated to toe the rubber for the first game back at 1:35 PM EST. Tampa Bay will also feature five players in Tuesday's All-Star Game, including Junior Caminero in the Home Run Derby.