Key Moment
The game was decided in the eighth inning when Cedric Mullins launched a home run to left field, measuring 338 feet. The blast provided the decisive run, lifting the Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on Thursday.
Scoring Summary
Texas took an early lead in the third inning. Díaz singled to left field, allowing Feduccia to cross the plate and give the Rangers a 1-0 advantage.
The Rays responded in the fourth inning. Pederson grounded into a fielder's choice to shortstop, but Duran scored on an error by shortstop Walls. Nimmo reached second base safely on the same fielding error, tying the game at 1-1.
Tampa Bay reclaimed the lead in the fifth inning when Langford doubled to left field, driving in Osuna for a 2-1 advantage.
The Rangers tied the score again in the sixth inning. DeLuca homered to left field, a shot that traveled 415 feet, making the score 2-2.
Mullins' eighth-inning home run proved to be the game-winner, sending the Rays ahead 3-2 for good.
Pitching Performances
Texas Rangers relievers carried the load after Marco Gonzales and Cole Winn started. Gonzales pitched three innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out one. He was followed by Peyton Gray, who threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, earning the hold.
Robby Ahlstrom added 1.1 innings of hitless work, and Ben Peoples closed out the game in relief, taking the loss after giving up two hits in 0.2 innings.
For Tampa Bay, Shane McClanahan started on the mound, pitching three innings and allowing one earned run with three strikeouts. Craig Kimbrel pitched 0.2 scoreless innings in relief. Steven Matz secured the final outs of the regular innings, throwing two hitless frames with three strikeouts.
Garrett Cleavinger earned the win by pitching a perfect inning with two strikeouts. Bryan Baker closed out the game for his 30th save, allowing no hits or runs while striking out two batters in one inning.
Final Details
The final score was Tampa Bay Rays 3, Texas Rangers 2. The game drew an attendance of 15,322 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. With the win, the Rays improved their record to 64-44, while the Rangers fell to 55-54.
Sources
https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816324
