The Tampa Bay Rays narrowly edge the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-5 today.
Batting:
Vidal Brujan singled to centre field in the first inning, driving in two runs. Randy Arozarena and Taylor Wells. Tampa Bay took an early 2-0 lead.
Pittsburgh's Diego Castillo cut the lead in half when he homered during the third inning. Castillo's seventh home run of the season was followed by Bryan Reynolds's RBI single. Michael Perez scored to tie the game.
Randy Arozarena gave the Rays the lead again after he doubled to center, driving in Josh Lowe.
Rookie Jack Suwinski hit his 12th home run of the game. His three-run home run to left field drove in Bligh Madris and Daniel Vogelbach. Pittsburgh took a 6-3 lead going into the seventh.
Isaac Parades hit his tenth home run for the Rays. His solo home run cut the deficit to two. In the ninth, Parades would walk Tampa off. His single to right field drove in Brujan and Choi, giving Tampa the lead and the win.
Pitching:
Veteran Corey Kluber got the start for Tampa Bay. The former Cy Young Award winner pitched 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and two runs. He struck out six Pirates while facing 21 batters. Jalen Beeks came in for relief and he almost blew the game. The former Red Sox prospect pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three runs. Ralph Garza Jr. came in to pitch the eighth and ninth. He pitched scoreless innings and secured the win.
JT Brubaker had a rough start for the Pirates. The righty pitched six innings of work, allowing nine hits and three runs. He was relieved by Wil Crowe, who pitched a scoreless inning. Chase De Jong came in to pitch the eighth, giving up Isaac Parades' home run. David Bednar came in for the save in the ninth inning. The 27-year-old allowed the game-tying and winning runs, being charged with a loss and a blown save.
Next:
The Rays and Pirates will play in game three tomorrow. As Tampa Bay looks to complete the sweep, they will send ace Shane McClanahan to the mound. Pittsburgh will counter with Roansy Contreras.