Rays secure historic West Coast sweep, claim best record in baseball

The Tampa Bay Rays have cemented their status as the premier team in Major League Baseball, securing the best record in the sport following a decisive victory over the Oakland Athletics. On 13 August 2026, the Rays defeated the Athletics 8-4 in West Sacramento, completing a nine-game winning streak on the road that has drawn comparisons to one of the most dominant stretches in modern baseball history.

This achievement marks the second time in MLB history that a team has won all games on a nine-plus game road trip across the West Coast, encompassing Mountain and Pacific time zones. The only other squad to accomplish this feat is the 1977 Boston Red Sox, who went 9-0 against the Angels, Mariners and Athletics between late July and early August of that year, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The Rays’ current streak, which ran from 3 to 12 August 2026, is tied for the longest in franchise history. During this period, Tampa Bay swept the Colorado Rockies in Colorado, defeated the Seattle Mariners in Seattle, and concluded the series against the Athletics. The team outscored its opponents by a total of 31 runs throughout the nine games, demonstrating both offensive firepower and pitching resilience.

Manager Kevin Cash praised the comprehensive performance of his squad, noting that the team executed on all facets of the game. “We did everything really well,” Cash said. “We hit well. We pitched well. We defended well. We ran the bases well. As a result, we found a way to get nine wins. Very impressive by that group.”

The victory improved the Rays’ record to 74-46, solidifying their position at the top of the American League East standings. The team is now positioned to potentially end a two-year playoff drought, having navigated a challenging schedule that included tight contests such as an 11-inning win over the Rockies and one-run victories against the Mariners.

Pitching played a crucial role in the streak, with Drew Rasmussen delivering seven scoreless innings during a one-run win against Seattle on 7 August. Rasmussen started the game against Oakland on 13 August, allowing two runs in five innings, while the Rays’ offense provided significant support by scoring 10, 12 and 8 runs across the three-game set against the Athletics.

Tampa Bay will return to home ground on Friday to face the Baltimore Orioles, carrying the momentum of their historic road trip. The team’s performance over the past week has established them as the team to beat in the league, with their 74-46 record reflecting a level of consistency that has eluded many competitors this season.