Rays 9, Twins 4: Big 4th inning propels Rays to win

Rays outs up an eight spot in the 4th and hold off Twins late to win

The Tampa Bay Rays secured a series split Wednesday night ahead of the series finale tomorrow afternoon thanks to an explosive fourth inning in which they scored eight runs. Both the Rays and the Twins rolled out bullpen days and the Rays staff, including five arms, won the day. Despite a late inning attempt at a comeback by the Twins, the Rays eventually won by a score of 9-4. Here’s how it happened:

Cole Sulser opened and tossed a pair of scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Kevin Kelly followed with a scoreless inning of his own. He struck out a pair and walked one. Tyler Alexander then came on to work the middle innings.

Opposite Sulser was Twins opener, Ronny Henriquez. He allowed one hit, but escaped with a scoreless frame in the first. He was followed by Louie Varland who tossed two scoreless innings prior to imploding in the fourth.

Brandon Lowe started the inning with a leadoff single and Caminero followed with a walk. Lowe then advanced to third on a Josh Lowe fly ball, the first out of the inning. The Rays would go on to score eight runs and chase Varland from the game before recording another out.

1-0: Brandon Lowe scored on a pickoff attempt that got away from first baseman Carlos Santana. Caminero advanced to third

2-0: Caminero scored on a fielders choice. No out was recorded as Johnny DeLuca reached base. Dylan Carlson followed with a bunt base hit, advancing DeLuca to second.

3-0: DeLuca scored on a Caballero single.

4-0: Carlson scores on a fielders choice and subsequent throwing error.

6-0: Caballero and Rortvedt score on a single by Walls.

8-0: Yandy Diaz blasts a 2-run bomb scoring Walls.

Yes, the Rays scored all those runs with just one extra-base hit. Would the 2024 Rays have it any other way? Absolutely not!

Varland would give way to Scott Blewett who would quickly record the final two outs of the inning.

All was calm at the Trop until the top of the seventh inning when Kyle Farmer cut the Rays lead to 8-1 with a solo shot. Larnach then doubled and with two outs, Carlos Santana homered to cut the lead to 8-3. Then, hetman doubled and Wallner singled and the Rays lead was very quickly cut in half.

Bigge replaced Alexander and stopped the bleeding allowing just a single before striking out Jeffers. Alexander’s line: 3.2 IP / 9 H / 4 ER / 0 BB / 2 K

Alexander was credited with the win, his 6th of the year.

Bigge tossed another scoreless inning, striking out two more in the process and Lovelady closed the door in the ninth with two more punch-outs. The final score was 9-4 and with the win, the Rays moved to within one game of .500 yet again. They can win the series tomorrow with Taj Bradley on the bump looking to out an ugly August behind him.