Rays Baseball: Reds Steal A Win 3-2

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As the trading deadline gets closer, the Tampa Bay Rays are looking more like sellers. Just last night, they traded away Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners for two prospects who are both currently in “A” ball. The two players are outfielder Aiden Smith and pitcher Brody Hopkins and on top of those two, a player to be named later. Just as game one versus the Cincinnati Reds was about to start, pitcher Zach Eflin was traded to division rival Baltimore Orioles. The Rays returned three young players in Matthew Etzel, Jackson Baumeister, and Mac Horvath. Manager Kevin Cash was down answering questions about what was happening. Closing pitcher Pete Fairbanks said he has not seen as much media since opening day. One of the players in the Eflin deal was on the field and he said “Well then fuck us” as he chucked going by.

The Tampa Bay Rays are only one game over .500 and are within striking distance of the final wild-card spot. The game one pitching matchup had Nick Lodolo for the Reds who is 8-3, with a 3.51 ERA and 89 strikeouts. The TB Rays countered with Shane Baz who is coming off the injured reserve. He has a record of 0-1 with a 3.95 ERA and 12 strikeouts. Many have said the Rays still may deal, so let’s see where they go. The Reds may also be dealing but one player that has excited baseball since opening day is Elly De La Cruz. He is a speedster look for him to attempt to steal bases in the three-game series. Cincinnati was in their road grey jerseys with red caps. The Rays wore their Devil Rays jerseys all-white uniforms with navy blue hats.

Tampa reinstated first baseman Yandy Diaz from the restricted list after he was on it for seven games. Diaz’s son was sick and did not qualify for the family emergency list. There were rumors about Isaac Paredes possibly being traded to the Houston Astros. Also, Pete Fairbanks could be heading to the New York Yankees. All these trade rumors come on top of the city finally giving clearance to build the TB Rays a new ballpark.

The Reds struck first after Baz walked two players and both of them scored on Jeimer Candelario’s double. The double gave Cincinnati a 2-0 early lead. Baz’s command was off in the first couple of innings. The Rays got on the board after Paredes got hit and came around on Jonny DeLuca’s double. The very next hitter Jose Caballero singled to tie the game at two.

Randy Arozarena was in attendance and not with the Mariners who were playing in Chicago against the White Sox. He has 72 hours to report to meet with his new team. Many will say it was Randy being Randy. Reporters said it was the first time they had ever seen that happen. Baz completed six innings giving up two hits, two runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He had a solid game for only his second start after coming back. Lodolo went 6 ⅔ innings he gave up five hits, two runs, one walk, and five strikeouts. 20,441 was the announced attendance for the game. There were goose eggs on the scoreboard after the Rays scored their two runs in the bottom of the second. The game would head to extra innings.

It did not take long for the Reds to score in extras. Just two hitters in, they retook the lead. That is how the game would end, a 3-2 win for the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds only had three hits but made them count. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for Tampa. Players have been traded and others have been rumored to be in the next few days. Tampa committed two errors that only helped the Reds steal game one of this three-game series. The ones that helped the Rays were Jose Caballero who went 2 for 4 with a single and double. Somehow the Rays kept De La Cruz off the bases as he went 0 for 4. Let’s see if the Rays can bounce back tonight and the biggest question is if who played last night will be playing for them tomorrow.

Did the trades hurt the Tampa Bay Rays’ morale in game one? Leave a comment below.

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