Rays 6, Diamondbacks 3: Dickerson launches twice.

The Rays took advantage of three solo shots to gain a much needed series victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3. The Rays got off to a slow start on the ten game road trip by losing their first four, but managed to return home with at a respectable 5-5 . Tomorrow will be a much needed day off after 20 game days.

First Inning: Dickerson’s blast gives the Rays a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the first inning Corey Dickerson battled through a nine pitch at bat, finally lifting a full count fly ball over the left center field wall to get the Rays off to a 1-0 lead. Logan Morrison turned on a first pitch fastball that Yasmany Tomas reeled in on the warning track to end the inning.

Jake Odorizzi worked a quick nine pitch first inning that ended by striking out Paul Goldschmidt looking.

Second Inning: Odorizzi loses command leading to a 41 pitch inning. Dbacks take 2-1 lead.

Rays bats had trouble making contact in the inning as Steven Souza, Jr, Desmond Jennings, and Tim Beckham struck out.

Odorizzi started the inning by striking out David Peralta. Rickie Weeks, Jr. followed with an opposite field homerun to tie the game. Chris Herrmann walked and stole second on a full count strike out of Yasmany Tomas.

Odorizzi intentionally walked Nick Ahmed to bring up Archie Bradley with two outs. It’s too early to be walking a guy with as weak a bat as Ahmed to get to the pitcher with only a runner at second. Bradley made the Rays pay with a chopper up the middle that went past a diving Taylor Motter. Herrmann scored easily as he was off on the pitch on a full count. Jean Seguar worked a five pitch walk that loaded the bases. Jake Lamb struck out swinging to leave the Rays down 2-1.

Odorizzi ended the inning allowing three walks (one intentional), two hits (one homer), and striking out three. Odorizzi was fortunate to allow only two runs and it destroyed his pitch count that stood at 50 over two innings.

Third Inning: Rays and DBacks trade runs. DBacks lead 3-2.

After two quick outs to start the inning, Taylor Motter walked on four pitches. Dickerson followed with a weak hit to left field that fell for a single. Evan Longoria extended his hitting streak with an RBI single to tie the game at three. Morrison crushed a line drive to dead center that David Peralta was able to make a play on.

Fourth and Fifth Innings: Both starters settle down and put up zeros. DBacks lead 3-2.

The Rays put up a threat in the top of the fourth after Desmond Jennings drew a four pitch walk with one out. Curt Casali would add another walk to put two on, but would lead to Odorizzi having to bat with two on and two outs. Odorizzi wasn’t able to come through.

Odorizzi allowed a leadoff single to Ahmed. Odorizzi shut down the inning by striking out two, Bradley and Lamb.

The fifth inning saw no runner reach base. Odorizzi struck out Goldschmidt and Peralta.

Odorizzi worked five innings of three run baseball while striking out eight and walking three. Odorizzi was really solid outside of the second inning.

Sixth and Seventh Innings: Rays go deep twice and take a 5-3 lead.

After two quick outs, Jennings ambushed a first pitch fastball for a homer to tie the game at three. Tim Beckham followed with an opposite field line drive to the gap that was turned into a triple. Casali worked a walk that led to Steve Pearce pinch hitting for Odorizzi. Odorizzi was already at 97 pitches and likely wouldn’t have gone much further, but with two runners on there was no other choice. Pearce singled on a groundball up the middle to put the Rays up 4-3. Motter struck out to end the threat.

Erasmo Ramirez came out of the pen as the first option chosen by Kevin Cash. After a strike out of Herrmann, Erasmo allowed a single to Tomas. Ahmed grounded out to Longoria, but moved Tomas to second. Pinch hitter, Phil Gosselin grounded out to shortstop to keep the Rays ahead.

Leading off the top of the seventh Dickerson unloaded on a hanging changeup that was absolutely crushed to put the Rays up two.

Erasmo worked around a two out single by Goldschmidt to keep the Rays lead at two.

Eighth and Ninth Innings: Rays close out the victory.

In the bottom of the eighth inning Xavier Cedeno issued a one out walk to Herrmann that was followed by a Tomas single. Cedeno extinguished the threat by inducing a double play ground ball to Longoria.

In the top half of the ninth the Rays added an insurance run with a leadoff single by Mikie Mahtook and a RBI single by Steven Souza, Jr.

The bottom of the ninth got off to a rough start as Colome came in to close out the game. Michael Bourn led off with a line drive single up the middle. Jean Segura grounded a ball to center that Motter was unable to get to. Colome followed with a four pitch walk to load the bases with no outs.

The degree of difficulty was upped a couple of notches with Goldschmidt up with the bases loaded and no outs in a three run game. One swing could end the game, but Colome struck out Goldschmidt. Colome ended the game inducing a double play grounder to second base by David Peralta. The scoop by Morrison was clutch.

Huge win by the Rays to come back home and have a much deserved off day after a 5-5 trip.

And the Rays broadcast team was busy researching water features at other stadiums; maybe Todd can consult on the Lazy River design for the new Rays Stadium?

We're speechless... and jealous. @TampaBayTK taking a mid-game dip in the D'backs' pool! @RaysBaseballhttps://t.co/0VQK6yVwSX

— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) June 8, 2016