The Tampa Bay Rays continue to struggle as they dropped their sixth straight game to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Following in the footsteps of the previous game where J.P Crawford lit up the scoreboard, Shed Long Jr. knocked a grand slam to propel Seattle against the Rays and to win the game in extras.
Prior to the recent six-game skid, the Rays boasted the best record in the MLB but have now fallen to second in the AL East. These recent struggles have come from a culmination of both offense and defense. If the Rays want to make a deep playoff run, they better find their footing and get back in the win column.
Recap
Unlike Saturday’s game, this matchup looked to be a duel on the mound. Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan was dialed in, only giving up three hits and one earned run through six innings. The Rays then proceeded to put up a run in the top of the sixth, courtesy of a double from Manuel Margot.
Mike Zunino stepped up to the plate in the top of the seventh and knocked another double. This hit scored Brandon Lowe as the Rays held on to a 2-1 lead. However, this lead was quickly halted as the Mariners tied the game in the bottom of the same inning.
The eighth and ninth innings brought no runs from either team which brought the game to extra innings. This was the second extra-inning ballgame in a row between the two teams. The Mariners had loaded the bases in the bottom of the tenth and Shed Long Jr. crushed a grand slam to give the Mariners the win. In his own words, Shed Long Jr. was just trying to find a hole. He ended up finding a pretty big one.
Up Next
The Rays look to bounce back on Tuesday against the division leader and rival Red Sox. The Rays travel back to Tampa to hopefully snap out of this funk and find the will to win again.