ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Nelson Cruz put on quite a show on Sunday. Cruz hit his second homer of the game in the 11th inning and drove in seven runs, and the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles avoided a three-game sweep with a 7-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. "Nelson has been spoiling us at a high level all year as a teammate and a player," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. After Nick Hundley drew a one-walk in the 11th, Cruz drove the next pitch from Cesar Ramos (2-6) over the wall in centre for his 39th homer. Cruz has 101 RBIs this season. Baltimore trailed 4-2 before Cruzs bases-loaded triple against Joel Peralta in the ninth. Tampa Bay tied it at 5 in the bottom half on pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguezs run-scoring grounder off closer Zach Britton. Brad Brach (6-1) worked a scoreless 10th before Andrew Miller got three outs for his first save. Baltimore increased its margin in the division to 9 1/2 games over the New York Yankees, who lost 2-0 to Kansas City. "It wasnt a pretty victory but we got it done and thats the important thing," Cruz said. "You dont want to think about the standings too much but we are in pretty good shape and we just have to remain focused." Evan Longoria, James Loney, David DeJesus and Kevin Kiermaier homered for the Rays. Tampa Bay had gone deep three times in its previous 15 games. The Rays went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Orioles outfielders Adam Jones and Nick Markakis were out of the starting lineup, receiving a break from the artificial turf at Tropicana Field. Shortstop J.J. Hardy missed his second consecutive game due to back spasms. Jones had a pinch-hit single in the ninth. Longoria and Loney hit consecutive homers off Bud Norris in the first. Longoria has 39 RBIs in 47 games since the All-Star break. DeJesus made it 3-0 with his fourth career inside-the park homer during the fourth. Left fielder Alejandro De Aza had the ball knocked out of his glove when centre fielder David Lough ran into his teammates arm. The ball ended up around the foul line, which allowed DeJesus to easily reach home. Norris gave four runs and eight hits in six innings. Cruzs two-run shot off Jeremy Hellickson made it 3-2 in the sixth. Hellickson allowed two runs and four hits over 5 1-3 innings. "It does feel like a lot of our losses came like this," Hellickson said. Tampa Bay has lost 14 of 22 since reaching .500 after dropping 18 games under the break-even mark. The Rays went ahead 4-2 on Kiermaiers sixth-inning homer. TRAINERS ROOM Orioles: Hardy expects to play in Monday nights game at Boston. Rays: CF Desmond Jennings (sore left knee) might miss the rest of the season. The outfielder missed his 10th straight game. ... SS Yunel Escobar was out of the lineup due to flu-like symptoms. CRUISIN CRUZ Cruz is the first Baltimore player with seven RBIs in a game since Luke Scott against Seattle on July 7, 2009. He is the first player with at least seven RBIs to account for all of his teams RBIs since Colorados Jason Giambi on May 19, 2011, at Philadelphia. In 18 previous games against the Rays this season, Cruz had two homers and seven RBIs. UP NEXT Orioles: RHP Miguel Gonzalez (8-7) and Boston RHP Joe Kelly (1-1) are the scheduled starters Monday night. Rays: After an off day, RHP Chris Archer (8-8) is scheduled to go against New York RHP Hiroki Kuroda (10-8) on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Discount Ultra Boost . This week they discuss the Philadelphia 76ers, Gregg Popovich, Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Bill Belichick. Ultra Boost Cheap Real . -- Canadian freestyle skier Roz Groenewoud isnt letting surgery to both of her knees deter her expectations for the Sochi Olympics. http://www.discountultraboost.com/. -- J.R. Sweezy was the one part of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that had avoided injuries or having to change positions this season. Discount Ultra Boost China . The 20-year-old overager has appeared in 35 games for the Ontario Hockey Leagues Erie Otters this season, scoring 41 goals and adding 27 assists with a plus-28 rating. Cheap Ultra Boost China . According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, Brodeurs agent Pat Brisson has spoken to six teams so far regarding the veteran goaltender.PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Carter-Williams has something to show for being a bright spot in a dismal season for the Philadelphia 76ers. Carter-Williams won the NBAs Rookie of the Year Award on Monday after becoming only the third player since 1950-51 to lead all rookies in scoring (16.7), rebounding (6.3) and assists (6.2). Oscar Robertson (1960-61) and Alvan Adams (1975-76) were the others. Despite the performance of their dynamic guard, the Sixers were awful this season. They were 19-73 and tied an NBA record by losing 26 straight games. "Id definitely trade this award to be in the playoffs in a second," Carter-Williams said. "Coaches tell me to watch the playoffs to look at how different the game is and I do see it. Its a whole different season. This game is about winning. I hope I set a positive example about leading your team in a good way no matter what. I hope guys that come in know the core of this team takes things seriously and we want to build something special." Carter-Williams received 104 of a possible 124 first-place votes. The Orlando Magics Victor Oladipo finished second and Trey Burke of the Utah Jazz was third. "Michael made an immediate impact on the court this season, but his dedication, professionalism and contributions to both the organization and the Philadelphia community make him all the more deserving of this award," Sixers owner Josh Harris said in a statement. "This is an incredibly proud moment for the 76ers and one we are thrilled to share with him, the city and our fans." Allen Iverson is the only other player in Sixers history to win the award. The 11th overall pick from Syracuse in last years draft, Carter-Williams is the first player picked 10th or lower to win since Mark Jackson did it in 1987 for New York. "Michael performed and represented the Sixers organization this past season in a manner befittting of the 2013-14 NBA Rookie of the Year," said co-managing owner David Blitzer.dddddddddddd "He never stopped working from the moment he burst onto the national scene in our home opener through the final horn at last game of the season, and we are proud to congratulate him on this well-deserved award." Carter-Williams had a spectacular debut, posting 22 points, 12 assists and nine steals to lead the Sixers to a stunning 114-110 victory over the two-time defending champion Miami Heat. He was the second rookie after Shaquille ONeill to be the Eastern Conference Player of the Week in his first week in the NBA. "By opening night, it was clear to us that Michael belonged," Sixers President Sam Hinkie said. "This award marks a lifetime of hard work. ... We congratulate him on this unique achievement and look forward to helping him put in the work necessary to garner even greater success in the future." First-year coach Brett Brown had enough confidence in Carter-Williams to give him the responsibility of leading the team on the court. They traded away All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday to clear the way for Carter-Williams. With an eye toward the future, the Sixers traded Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen in February. They have a 19.9 per cent chance at getting the No. 1 pick in this years draft and are also owed New Orleans lottery pick -- unless the Pelicans win a top-3 pick. With possibly two first-round selections, Carter-Williams and 2013 lottery pick Nerlens Noel returning from a knee injury, the Sixers could be a contender soon. "When I first got here, I really didnt know what to expect," Carter-Williams said. "I am not a person that trusts a lot of people. My circle is really close, especially when it comes to basketball, because everyone has an opinion. But I have a lot of trust in coach Brown." Wholesale HoodiesNFL Shirts OutletJerseys NFL WholesaleCheap NFL Jerseys Free ShippingWholesale Jerseys CheapCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaWholesale JerseysWholesale NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '