Cedric Mullins put on a show at the plate, smashing a home run and adding three singles to power the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night. The win marked the Rays' 11th in their last 13 games, continuing their scorching stretch.

Mullins, who also swiped a base, delivered his most explosive performance since May 2023, when he collected five hits as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays set the tone early, with Yandy Díaz launching a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to put Tampa Bay ahead.

The second inning showcased the Rays' trademark grit. Richie Palacios turned a tricky pop fly into a hustle double, and Mullins followed by beating out a bunt to advance him to third. Palacios then scored on Hunter Feduccia's sacrifice fly. Mullins, showing his speed, swiped second and moved to third on the same play before darting home on a weak chopper by Taylor Walls, pushing the lead to 4-1.

The Rays nearly went back-to-back in the sixth inning. After Mullins crushed a solo shot, Feduccia sent a fastball from Miami's Janson Junk deep into right-center field. But the ball ricocheted off the Tropicana Field catwalk and dropped to the turf for a ground-rule double, robbing the catcher of a homer.

Tampa Bay's opener, Ian Seymour, needed just nine pitches in the first inning and retired the first five Marlins before Connor Norby's homer in the second. Jesse Scholtens (4-2) took over in the third and delivered five strong innings of relief, allowing only a solo homer to Miami center fielder Jakob Marsee (3 for 4) in the sixth. The Rays' bullpen then shut the door, retiring the final 10 batters in order.

The victory improved Tampa Bay's record to 4-0 this season when using an opener, a testament to their pitching depth and adaptability. The series continues Saturday, with Miami's Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.90 ERA) set to face Rays right-hander Nick Martinez (4-1, 1.70).