Rays 6, Phillies 4: Phillips Phoils Phills

In the first game post-clinch, the Rays rallied to beat the Phillies, delivering another blow to Philadelphia’s playoff chances.

Charlie Morton drew the start against Vince Velasquez. The lineup behind Morton featured a return for Mike Brosseau, and Mike Renfroe’s first start ever at first base.

The Rays broke out on top in the second. With one out, Kiermaier singled and Brosseau walked. Then after a Renfroe strikeout, Brett Phillips singled to right, plating Kiermaier.

A hit by pitch of Mike Zunino loaded the bases, but Joey Wendle couldn’t drive them in, grounding hard to first.

The Phillies took the lead in the top of the third. Scott Kingery singled to center, moved to second on a fielders choice, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Bohm single. Then Bohm scored on a triple into the right field corner by Harper. Harper also scored on the play via a throwing error by Adames.

3-1 Phillies.

In the top of the fifth, Scott Kingery (again?) hit a ground rule double. He advanced to third on an Alex Bohm (again??) single to right. Harper then singled to right, scoring Kingery.

4-1 Phillies.

In the bottom of the fifth, Wendle led off with an infield single. He advanced to third on a rocket double to left by Arozarena. After a Nate Lowe strikeout, Willy Adames lined a single to center, scoring Wendle.

4-2 Phillies, and that would be the end of the night for Velasquez. Joe Girardi gave the ball to former Ray Tommy “Two Towel” Hunter.

Kevin Kiermaier greeted him with a grounder to second, scoring Arozarena.

4-3 Phillies.

Yoshi Tsutsugo then pinch hit for Brosseau and just missed one, flying deep to left to end the inning.

Charlie was done after five, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, with 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. At times he looked great, like when he struck out side in the second. Other times things were a little dicier, as all four Phillies runs scored with two outs.

Oliver Drake, Ryan Thompson, and Nick Anderson worked through the middle/late innings, and they each posted a scoreless frame.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Brett Phillips went down and got a 2-2 Tommy Hunter sinker, driving it out to center.

4-4 tie.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Rays retook the lead against Adam Morgan. First, they loaded the bases with one out on a single by Yoshi and walks from Renfroe and Phillips. Girardi then brought in Hector Nerris, and Cash pinch hit Brandon Lowe. BLowe failed to cash in the scoring chance, as he popped out to Gregorius. But Joey Wendle picked up his teammate, lining a single to right and scoring Yoshi and Renfroe.

6-4 Rays!

The only thing you can complain about in this game is Cash didn’t go for the save record. With both Fairbanks and Loup available, Cash gave the ball instead to John Curtiss. It’s hard to be too mad though, as Curtiss struck out the side in order.

The Rays look to further help Evan Longoria’s Giants tomorrow evening.