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Down on the field before the game, the players looked loose during pre-game warmups. President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander was down hugging recent call-up Junior Caminero. The Tampa Bay Rays were looking for a spark after last night’s uninspired game. Their record slipped back to .500 giving the Houston Astros a six-game winning streak.
In the past, Tampa has lost the first game only to come back and win the next two. In last night’s game, the Rays allowed a first-inning home run for the fifth time thanks to Alex Bregman. Junior Caminero was called up from Triple-A Durham and Tampa Bay sent down Curtis Mead. Caminero is the number two prospect in all of baseball. This is the second time he has seen the majors after last year towards the end of the season. Let’s see if he provides the spark the Rays desperately need.
The pitching matchup was Yusei Kikuchi, who came in with a record of 5-9, a 4.62 ERA, and 149 strikeouts for the Astros. The Rays countered with Shane Baz who was making just his third start. He came in with a 0-1 record, 4.30 ERA, and 26 strikeouts.
Last night’s starter, Taj Bradley struggled for his third consecutive start but is confident he can get back on track.
With the win in last night’s game, the Astros took over sole control of the AL West. During batting practice for the Astros, Yordan Alvarez hit a ball that broke the right field scoreboard which is the main scoreboard inside Tropicana Field. The Rays were wearing all-white uniforms with navy blue caps. The Astros were wearing all-grey uniforms with navy blue caps.
Once again, the crowd did not show up. Listening to local sports radio that might be because the Rays have not been playing good enough baseball for the fans to show up.
The “Cheaters” chants rained down with not many in the stadium it was easier to hear them. Caminero made a great catch in the bottom of the second to keep the game tied at zero showing why they brought him up. The Tampa Bay Rays got on the board first with an RBI single from Josh Lowe as Junior Caballero got a double before Loat’s at bat. Lowe proceeded to steal second base.
Houston would tie it up off a series of hits with the RBI coming from Yainer Diaz. The scoreboard was not back on as the game moved into the fourth. Alvarez broke the one at Minute Maid Park as a rookie.
Once again for the second night in a row, Alex Bregman hits a homer and gave Houston the lead 2-1. Bregman who was 3 for 4 with a single, double, and a home run, a triple short of the cycle. Houston got yet another home run this time from Jeremy Pena that brought the score to 3-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi was pulled after 5 ⅔ innings giving up just three hits, one earned run, no walks, and five strikeouts.
The attendance announced was more than in game one at 12,275. Shane Baz pitched well outside of the home runs going seven innings giving up seven hits, three earned runs, two walks, and six hits.
Drew Rasmussen came in after Baz. He has gone through two Tommy John surgeries in the same year. He was very humbled to be back . Rasmussen pitched out a huge jam allowing no runs ending with another superb play by third baseman Junior Caminero. It was a tight game as it entered the final inning with the Astros having only a one-run lead, 3-2. Caminero did well in the field he went 1 for 4 at the plate with a single. The game ended with a 3-2 Houston win but it was a tight game.
Can the Rays use the momentum in a loss to not get swept tomorrow? Leave a comment below.
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For more follow me on Facebook: Bradley Louis Walker, On X:bradwalker3083, and my weekly sports podcast: The Walker Report.
Author Profile
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Director of Operations for NGSC Sports
Covers USF Athletics in Football, Baseball, Lacrosse, and Softball.
Also covered both major and minor league baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays and Clearwater Threshers.
He also covers college football bowl and conference championship games.
It might seem like just covers team sports he also covers both the PGA & LIV Tours and writes and announces for the Pinellas Park High School Patriots in football and basketball.
He also has two sports podcasts in the P&W Sports Report and The Walker Report.
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