The Tampa Bay Rays are facing intense pressure as they must win their game this afternoon against the Houston Astros in order to keep their World Series aspirations alive.
They have lost the first two games of the American League Division Series to the Astros and were absolutely dominated by the duo of Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole during those two contests.
In Game Three, it won’t be much easier as they get former Cy Young winner, Zack Grienke.
However, already down by 1 in the second inning, the Rays mounted a small rally and had two runners on with two outs for center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, who hasn’t done much offensively since returning from the Injured List in August.
Ahread in the count 2-1, Kiermaier takes advantage of Grienke mistake as the veteran hurler toss one right down the middle for the Outlaw to punish.
Kiermaier ripped the pitch and sent it flying deep to right-center field. The Astros outfielders gave chase, but it would be in vain as the ball soared into the seats for a go-ahead three run home run to give the Rays their first lead of the American League Division Series and sent Tropicana Field into a frenzy.
The Trop is rocking after @KKiermaier39 gives @RaysBaseball a 3-1 lead with a shot to right center.
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 7, 2019
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