In a showdown of Florida’s finest, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep.
Tampa Bay’s Bats
The Rays came out of the gate swinging for the fences. In the first inning, veteran Nelson Cruz knocked a sacrifice fly to deep center field to bring Wander Franco over to third base while also driving in Manuel Margot. After this, third baseman Yandy Díaz stepped up to the plate and drove in Wander Franco on a deep fly-ball to right field. Fast-forwarding to the fifth inning, Nelson Cruz recorded a single to drive in Wander Franco. While three runs are abnormal for Tampa Bay, it was enough to beat Miami.
Miami’s Sticks
On the opposition, Miami’s bats were relatively quiet. No scoring plays occurred until the top of the seventh in an attempt to try and chip away at a three-run lead. Eddy Alvarez clocked a ground-rule double which drove in Joe Panik, cutting the lead down to two. In a last attempt to secure a win, Lewin Díaz went yard in the top of the ninth inning. It was the rookie’s seventh home run of the season. However, two runs weren’t enough to match Tampa Bay’s three.
Rookie Sensation
Top prospect Shane Baz had an impressive pitching performance in the second start of his young career. Baz threw 5 ⅔ scoreless innings to keep Miami at bay. Baz allowed only three hits, and just one walk while striking out nine and leading the division champion Rays to a win.
What’s Next?
The Rays head out to Houston on Tuesday night to face off against Jose Altuve and the Astros.
The Marlins travel out to New York Tuesday afternoon to begin a four-game series with Pete Alonso and the Mets.