Rays Baseball: Tampa Bay Takes Rubber Match and Series, 2-1

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The Tampa Bay Rays have had two games that could not have been more different. The opening game versus the Cincinnati Reds was a back-and-forth game. Unfortunately, Tampa took a tight loss in extra innings. In game two the tide shifted as the Rays took advantage of the Reds starting pitching and won 4-0. This all comes on the trade deadline approaching as it ends at 6 pm EST on Tuesday. Today’s game had what many would consider an early first pitch. MLB made a deal with Roku TV and today’s game is on that. It’s cool to have breakfast baseball but that happens somewhere in the US for example if you live anywhere but the Eastern timezone the game is early. If you’re in the Pacific time zone this game would be at 8:30 AM. The win last night puts Tampa back over .500 by one game.

The starters were Hunter Greene for the visiting Reds who has a 7-4 record, 3.14 ERA, and 133 strikeouts. The home team Tampa Bay had Shawn Armstrong who is 2-2 with a 5.64 ERA, and 49 strikeouts. Before the game Tampa traded reliever Jason Adam to the San Diego Padres for right-hander Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr., and JD Gonzalez. As the players headed to the field for pre-game warmups, Cincinnati had on their road grey jerseys and red caps. Tampa wore baby blue tops, white pants, and navy blue caps. It did not take Elly De La Cruz long he got on base after a single and then stole second base. That was his 52 stolen base in 2024. Cincinnati got on the board first after an error and a single and Stuart Fairchild came around to score.

The Rays went in order in the first three innings with no walks or hits. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tampa Bay finally got their first runner on base as Richie Palacios walked. The next batter, Jonny DeLuca got hit by a pitch but through five innings, the Rays had no hits. After not having a hit in the first two games, De La Cuz has gone 3-3 with three singles and three stolen bases to up his total to 55. Elly was also doing it on defense making a specular catch in the bottom of the sixth. Greene’s no-hitter bid was no more as Brandon Lowe got the Rays first hit. 19,873 was the announced attendance for yesterday’s game. The attendance was low but that could be because of the earlier start.

Hunter Greene went seven innings giving up just two hits, one walk, five strikeouts, and no runs. The Rays had a double steal to get both runners in scoring position. Tampa Bay got the board in the bottom of the eighth via a wild pitch. The Reds changed pitchers and walked in the go-ahead run. Pete Fairbanks came in and closed the door and gave the Rays a win and a series win. With everything going on Tampa rallied and got a series win. The big question is who played today will still be on the team come the opening game versus the Miami Marlins.

What will the Tampa Bay Rays look like come this Tuesday? Leave a comment below.

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