KANSAS CITY — Regardless of shedding seven of their final eight video games and 15 of 25 heading into the All-Star break, the Rays by no means let their confidence waver. They took it for what it was — a nasty stretch — however anticipated to bounce again after the welcomed and well-timed All-Star break.
After having their begin to the season’s unofficial second half delayed by Friday’s rainout, the Rays accomplished a doubleheader sweep Saturday evening with a 4-2 win over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, their sixtieth victory of the season. In Recreation 1, Tampa Bay rode a robust begin by Tyler Glasnow and two Jose Siri homers to a 6-1 win.
Saturday was the Rays’ first doubleheader sweep since July 2, 2022, and it restored their lead over the Orioles within the American League East to two games. It additionally restored some confidence in Tampa Bay’s lineup, which has scored 20 runs whereas profitable the final three video games after slumping towards the top of the primary half.
“This group can hit, and so they’re not going to not hit for too lengthy,” stated supervisor Kevin Money, who secured the 699th and 700th wins of his managerial profession Saturday. “Good pitching [from Kansas City] — once they execute pitches, you’ve obtained to tip your cap somewhat bit. However very inspired that we discovered a option to win two video games, as a result of I do assume it is very difficult to do in Main League Baseball.”
The Rays used their energy and persistence in Recreation 1, overcoming a 13-strikeout displaying with a pair of homers from Siri and one other from Francisco Mejía earlier than tacking on three runs within the eighth after Royals reliever Collin Snider walked the bases loaded with 13 straight balls.
Within the nightcap, Tampa Bay manufactured runs towards a Kansas Metropolis membership that fell to 26-67 on the season. There have been too many strikeouts and a few missed alternatives with runners in scoring place, however the outcome was paying homage to the best way the Rays so usually discovered other ways to attain throughout their sizzling begin to the season.
“I believe that that is nice, and that is sort of how we count on the offense to run,” stated Luke Raley, who hit a go-ahead single within the eighth inning. “It is good to return again from break and really feel like we’re sort of getting again into that.”
The Rays struck first, as Wander Franco doubled and scored on a single by Randy Arozarena within the third inning. The Royals pulled forward with a run within the third and one other within the fifth, however Tampa Bay’s depth confirmed as much as retake the lead.
Manuel Margot led off the seventh inning with a single, then Money despatched pinch-hitter Josh Lowe to face reliever Jonathan Heasley. Money was simply anticipating an excellent at-bat. Lowe hoped to maneuver Margot into scoring place. As a substitute, he blasted a 1-0 curveball into the right-center subject hole for a game-tying RBI triple.
“The Royals pitched us robust all day it felt like, so we sort of needed to dangle in there and have some huge at-bats — well timed hitting late in ballgames,” Money stated. “That is what we have been capable of do.”
The Rays additionally put collectively a well-pitched recreation of their very own. Opener Shawn Armstrong delivered two scoreless innings and twenty seventh man Cooper Criswell held the Royals to 2 runs over 4 environment friendly innings, then relievers Colin Poche, Kevin Kelly and Pete Fairbanks took it from there.
In the meantime, Harold Ramirez helped the Rays create their closing two runs along with his hustle, heads-up baserunning and talent to make contact. And, as he tells it, by following directions.
Ramírez led off the eighth with a single to left, then alertly tagged as much as advance to second on Arozarena’s flyout to heart subject. Ramírez stated first-base coach Chris Prieto advised him to tag up, however he joked that he would have tried it even when Prieto had advised him to remain put.
“Irrespective of if he stated no,” Ramírez stated, “I used to be going to go.”
“It’s not a straightforward play,” Money added. “You learn the throw, how the ball is coming in, however he was very dedicated to get into scoring place proper there.”
Positive sufficient, Ramírez scored the tiebreaking run on Raley’s two-out single to proper. Then he helped pad their lead after Francisco Mejía singled and Brandon Lowe doubled — each began Recreation 1 and started Recreation 2 on the bench — to open the ninth inning.
With the bases loaded and one out, Ramírez stated Money advised him, “Hey, put the ball within the air, it doesn’t matter what occurs.” The designated hitter responded that his supervisor didn’t want to fret, as a result of he’d swing on the first pitch and get the job finished.
True to his phrase, Ramírez swung at a first-pitch sweeper and hit it a Statcast-projected 321 toes for a sacrifice fly.
At all times hearken to your coaches, proper?
“We’ve got to comply with,” Ramírez stated, smiling.
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Printed : 2023-07-16 03:49:31
