Last night, the Tampa Bay Rays got to Justin Verlander, who had been pitching on three days rest, for four runs early and that would be all they needed.

Going with a bullpen day, the Rays smorgasbord of pitchers got the job done against the fierce Astros offense as they held them to just one run — a solo home run from Robinson Chirinos.

Tommy Pham did Tommy Pham things and punished a Verlander mistake in the first and the Rays offense went to work. Kevin Cash, going to every available weapon in his aresenal, turned to the 2018 AL Cy Young to close out the game and that he did as the Rays took the victory and forced a game five on Thursday night in Houston.

Let’s go.

News and Links

• Tampa Mayor Jane Castor calls for a fresh start on Rays stadium talk - Ryan Kolakowski, Tampa Bay Times ($$$)
• Folk hero. First baseman. Rays fans fall for Ji-Man Choi - Ryan Kolakowski, Tampa Bay Times ($$$)
• Hey, America: What do you think of the Rays now? - John Romano, Tampa Bay Times ($$$)
• Rays-Astros: Everyone wants in the Tommy Pham Club. - Martin Fennelly, Tampa Bay Times ($$$)
• How the Rays forced the favored Astros into a do-or-die Game 5 - Bradford Doolittle, ESPN
• Why the Rays Pushing the Big, Bad Astros to the Brink Seems So Shocking - Ben Lindrbergh, The Ringer
• Rays paint bullpenning masterpiece to force G5 - Dawn Klemish, MLB.com
• Rays’ relay even more amazing under dissection - Mike Petriello, MLB.com
• Glasnow gets call for decisive Game 5 start - Juan Toribio, MLB.com
• ‘Absolutely incredible’: An oral history of Rays’ relay throw home vs. Astros - Greg Auman, The Athletic ($$$)