In Miami, the Tampa Bay Rays struggled to find their offensive rhythm for most of the season. However, on Tuesday, they finally found a way to break free from their struggles and secure a 9-5 victory over the Marlins.
The game didn’t start off on the right foot for the Rays, as they found themselves trailing by three runs after a challenging first inning. But they quickly turned the tide and mounted a remarkable comeback.
Brandon Lowe, who was given a rare start against a left-handed pitcher, played a pivotal role in the Rays’ resurgence. He wasted no time and made an immediate impact by hitting a three-run homer and a two-run double off Miami’s Jesus Luzardo, on the first two pitches he faced. Another key contributor was Jose Siri, who delivered a crucial double in the fourth inning to give the Rays the lead that they would hold onto for the rest of the game. Randy Arozarena also had an impressive performance, reaching base five times through a hit, two walks, and two hit-by-pitches.
The Rays’ offensive prowess was truly a team effort, with a total of seven players combining for 12 hits, six runs scored, and four RBIs. Their nine-run total fell just one short of their season high, and their explosive five-run fifth inning matched their most productive inning of the year.
In a game that initially seemed to be going smoothly for the Rays, there was a sudden twist of events in the ninth inning. Reliever Phil Maton struggled as he allowed singles to the first three Marlins, adding some drama to the game. Despite having a comfortable 9-3 lead in the seventh inning, the Rays had to bring in closer Pete Fairbanks to secure the win. Fairbanks managed to get three consecutive outs and ensure victory for the team.
With consecutive wins, including an impressive comeback in their previous game against the Orioles, the Rays improved their record to 30-31.
The night also proved to be a successful one for Ryan Pepiot, despite a challenging start. Pepiot had a rough first inning, throwing 36 pitches and causing Kevin Kelly to warm up in the bullpen. However, Pepiot managed to turn things around and went on to pitch six innings, allowing only one hit after the first inning. He also exhibited excellent control by not issuing any walks and striking out eight batters.
Pepiot’s shaky start resulted in Miami taking an early 3-0 lead after a homer, single, triple, and two-out single. However, the Rays mounted a comeback in the fourth inning, with all seven batters reaching base. Unfortunately, they made all three outs on the bases, but their resilience set the tone for the rest of the game.
Arozarena started off the inning with a walk, followed by a fielder’s choice grounder by Harold Ramirez and a single by Isaac Paredes. This set the stage for Lowe’s homer, his first against a left-handed pitcher since August. Despite typically using an all-right-handed lineup against lefty starters, Manager Kevin Cash decided to give his left-handed hitters some playing time against the upcoming four lefty starters, with a couple of off-days in between.
The momentum continued as Amed Rosario hit a single and eventually scored on a double by Siri, who played a significant role in the Rays’ previous three victories. However, Siri got caught in a pickle between second and third base on Jonny DeLuca’s grounder, and DeLuca himself was subsequently picked off.
In the fifth inning, the Rays unleashed an offensive onslaught, scoring five runs to take control of the game. This was their highest-scoring inning of the season so far. After recording one out, the Rays went on a remarkable streak, with five consecutive batters reaching base and ultimately ending pitcher Jesus Luzardo’s night. Yandy Diaz started the rally with a single, followed by a walk from Randy Arozarena. Next, Harold Ramirez added a single, while Jose Paredes delivered a clutch hit to drive in two runs. Brandon Lowe then stepped up and doubled, bringing home two more runs. To cap off the scoring spree, Eddie Rosario welcomed reliever Declan Cronin with a single, pushing the lead to 9-3.
Later in the game, the Marlins managed to score single runs in both the seventh and eighth innings against rookie reliever Justin Sterner.