Marc Topkin’s takeaways from Rays’ 7-1 win over Orioles

Rays catcher Mike Zunino celebrates with reliever Aaron Slegers after defeating the Orioles on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. [JULIO CORTEZ | Associated Press] Julio Cortez | APRays catcher Mike Zunino celebrates with reliever Aaron Slegers after defeating the Orioles on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. [JULIO CORTEZ | Associated Press] Julio Cortez | AP

• Austin Meadows had the big hit in the Rays’ seven-run second inning, but the two-run single by struggling Mike Zunino ahead of that was also important — for them and for him.

• Trying Jose Alvarado as an opener today makes sense. He hasn’t been able to throw strikes consistently and doing so helped Diego Castillo and Ryne Stanek when they had similar issues.

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