Rays 5, Marlins 4: Feeling Randy

The Rays rallied to win a tight 5-4 game against the Marlins, behind a big day from Randy Arozarena, and just enough offense from the rest of the crew. It also gave the Rays a 5-1 win in the Citrus Series.

The Rays trotted out their righty lineup against Taylor Rogers.

Tyler Glasnow wasn’t very sharp, especially early, and he was apparently dealing with some issue with his eye. The Marlins took advantage, putting up two in the first behind a Corey Dickerson walk followed by a homer from Starling Marte.

The Rays got one back in the bottom of the first as Randy Arozarena hit the first of his two homers on the day, a solo jack off Trevor Rogers.

After a smooth second from Glasnow, he again ran into trouble in the third, giving up a lead off triple to Corey Dickerson. Glasnow then struck out Marte swinging at high heat before surrendering a run scoring single to Jesus Aguilar, making it a 3- 1 game. After a Joyce strikeout, Brian Anderson singled to center. The Marlins then moved up both runners on a poorly executed play by the Rays where Brosseau at third dropped a throw from Glasnow.

Luckily, Glasnow struck out Diaz to end the inning, keeping it a two run game.

In the bottom of the third, Margot worked a one out walk, then stole second and third during the Arozarena at bat. But Randy was unable to drive the runner in as he popped out to shallow right. Meadows then struck out swinging to end the frame.

Leading off the bottom of the fifth, Hunter Renfroe drove one to right that tucked inside the foul pole.

3-2 Marlins.

Glasnow ended up going five and a third innings. He gave up three earned runs on four hits, walking three and striking out nine. He handed it over to the Stable with Brian Anderson on first following a walk. Aaron Loup got the call and induced Lewin Diaz to ground into a 5-6-3 double play to get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Randy Arozarena hit a rocket out to left to tie the game at three.

RAAAAAAANNNNNNDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

Jazz Chisholm recorded his first major league hit on a lined single to right against Loup leading off the seventh. He was then picked off, yet nearly swiped second anyway on a slow throw from Lowe. Luckily for the Rays, the kid overslid the bag and Adames held on the tag for the put out.

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A strikeout of Alvarez followed before Cash called on Pete Fairbanks. Fairbanks walked Wallach on five pitches, bringing up Corey Dickerson. Fairbanks managed to get Dickerson to pop out to third to end the threat.

Fairbanks stayed on for the eighth and surrendered a leadoff single to Marte. Marte quickly swiped second, putting the go ahead run in scoring position. Fairbanks rebounded to fan Aguilar on high heat, got Joyce to pop out to short, and got Anderson to pop to right.

With Yimi Garcia taking over in the bottom of the eighth, the Marlins defense made two terrific catches to retire Nate Lowe and Brandon Lowe.

Randy Arozarena then reached on an infield single. But Meadows’ slump continued as he struck out on three pitches.

Diego Castillo came on for the ninth, and It was far from smooth, though he did get the job done. Lewin Diaz greeted him with a double to center. Jon Berti then came on to pinch run. The Marlins asked Chisholm to bunt him over, but Chisholm popped up to third on a nice grab by Brosseau. Next, Cooper flew out to short left on the firth pitch of the at bat. Rojas then came on to pinch hit, and Castillo walked him despite getting ahead 0-2. Castillo rebounded by getting Dickerson to fly to right.

John Curtiss got the call in the tenth for the Rays, with Lew Brinson starting the inning at second for the Marlins. Marte grounded to short on the first pitch, with Adames looking Brinson back to second before making the throw. Aguilar followed by lining to center. Joyce then rolled a ball through the open left side against the shift, scoring Brinson. 4-3 Marlins. Curtiss finished the inning by striking out Brian Anderson.

The Rays answered in a big way against Marlins closer Kintzler. With Joey Wendle starting on second, Ji-Man Choi was called on to pinch hit for Renfroe. Choi hooked one up the right field line for a double, easily scoring Wendle and tying the game.

Brent Phillips got the call to run for Choi. A deep drive by Perez just missed leaving the yard, but did get Phillips over to third. Next, KK was called to pinch hit for Nate Lowe. Kiermaier walked on five pitches, setting things up for the slumping Brandon Lowe. Lowe did enough, lining one to center deep enough to score Phillips.

Rays win!

Tomorrow the Rays are on the road against the Washington Nationals. Game time is at 6:05 PM.