A few notes on the Orioles' 11-2 win over the Rays

For the second game in a row the Orioles used a big inning to break open a game at Tropicana Field. For an offense that had scored three runs or fewer in 26 of 49 games in the second half at the start of this series, it's a good sign.

The Orioles scored six runs in the top of the fourth tonight and went on to beat the Rays 11-2. They are 76-62 and have taken the first two games of this three-game series. The Orioles have now won two straight American League East series after losing five in a row.

Some notes on tonight's win:

* Manny Machado hit a grand slam to make the lead 7-1 in the fourth. He drove in five runs on the night. That gives Machado 34 homers and 90 RBIs. He is one off his homer career high of 35 last year and he set a new career high for RBIs after producing 86 last season.

Machado has four career grand slams and has hit three this season. He also connected on April 28 versus the Chicago White Sox and May 8 against Oakland. Machado is the first Oriole with three grand slams in a season since Chris Hoiles in 1998.

The O's have hit six grand slams on the season. Machado has been joined by Mark Trumbo, Jonathan Schoop and Chris Davis with one each.

* With three homers tonight, the 2016 Orioles have moved into second place on the club's list for most homers in a season. And the top spot is within reach.

The O's all-time single-season homer leaders:
257 - 1996
218 - 2016
217 - 2015
214 - 1985, 1998, 2012
212 - 2013

* Now 14 games over .500, the Orioles could move 15 over with a win and series sweep on Wednesday afternoon. They were last 15 games over at 66-51 on Aug. 14.

* Winning pitcher Yovani Gallardo improved to 5-7 with an ERA of 5.44. Over five innings and 95 pitches, he allowed five hits and two runs (one earned).

The MASN telecast and game tracker showed Gallado's fastball touching 93 and 94 mph. According to Brooksbaseball.net, Gallardo's velocity in his previous start against Toronto was his best of the year. His four-seam fastball averaged 93.1 mph and the two-seamer was at 92.5 mph. Perhaps the farther away he gets from his DL stint, the more shoulder strength he has built up. The improved velocity could be a good sign for his remaining starts. Good command of the fastball helps him set up his slider and secondary pitches.

* Tampa Bay starter Jake Odorizzi took the mound tonight with a 6-0 record and ERA of 1.89 in nine second-half starts. Then he allowed six hits and seven runs over four innings. The seven runs allowed tied his season high. He gave up seven over 5 1/3 on July 5 versus the Angels.

In five starts this season against the Orioles, Odorizzi has an ERA of 6.58. Over 26 innings he has allowed seven homers and 19 runs.

* The Orioles are 11-3 this season against Tampa Bay and have outscored the Rays 72-38 in the season series.