Rays: 11, Mariners: 3 - Rays win series as offense explodes
Rortvedt Al Gaib!!!
Rays look to earn their third straight series win today against the Mariners. Here’s how both teams line up:
Ahead of today’s game the Rays made the following roster change:
The Tampa Bay Rays have recalled RHP Edwin Uceta from Triple-A Durham and designated RHP Chris Devenski for assignment.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) June 25, 2024
Forecast for tonight’s game in the Trop:
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 25, 2024
72° with a 0% chance of rain. pic.twitter.com/XmjEksf49F
All set for Game 2️⃣ at the Trop. pic.twitter.com/cDPzOAdvpZ
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 25, 2024
Rays quickly got things started with a leadoff HR from Yandy Diaz in the bottom of the 1st inning
Richie Palacos opened the 2nd inning with a double, and Jose Siri singled him home.
Rays lead 2-0 after two innings.
Zach Littell was cruising through the first 4 innings, giving up a couple of hits and walks, but otherwise staying out of trouble thanks to some stellar defense by Josh Lowe.
Littell’s first sign of trouble was in the 5th inning, after a lead off single to Jorge Polanco, and then Ty France HR tied the score at 2.
Otherwise, no further damage, as Littell’s final line was: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, and 6 Ks on 72 pitches.
Rays offense exploded in the bottom of the 6th inning, as Richie Palacios and Jose Siri worked back-to-back walks and then Taylor Walls hit a triple to score them both.
Then, Ben Rortvedt smashed his 3rd HR of the year to add two more runs.
At the end of 6 innings, Rays have a 6-2 lead!
Seattle had a small response of their own as Mitch Garver homered off of Phil Maton in the 7th.
After the HR, Maton sat down the next three Ms batters in order, and gave way to another Rays offensive explosion, with Richie Palacos singling home Josh Lowe, and Ben Rortvedt continuing his offensive breakout with a 2 run single of his own.
Rays lead increases to 9-3 after 7 innings, and they STILL WEREN’T DONE! In the next inning, Isaac Parades got in on the fun with his 12th HR of the year.
A 2 run shot gives the Rays an 11-3 lead, and a much needed rest for the A-bullpen. Newly called up Edwin Uceta for the 9th inning and the close out.
Pitching + Defense + A LOT of offense = #RaysWin
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 26, 2024
Rays get their third series win in a row, and move up to .500 on the season. Ryan Pepiot takes on George Kirby tomorrow, with the Rays looking for their first three game sweep since their sweep of the New York Mets in early May of this year. Gametime is 12:10 PM