Souza Jr. hits two bombs to get offense back on track in win over Angels.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A milestone is approaching for the Angels, Albert Pujols. On Wednesday evening, he got one more closer to 600 hitting his 597th off Rays starter, Erasmo Ramirez, with one out in the first inning. Mike Trout had doubled a hitter before and the Los Angeles Angels would take a 2-0 lead early.
The lead wouldn’t last long. In the bottom of the second, Steven Souza Jr would connect for his sixth bomb of the season, a two-run shot, that would tie things up. Logan Morrison had led off the inning with a walk and scored on the blast.
Runs have been tough to come by for the Rays in the last few games. Kevin Kiermaier would add to the tally in the third after Corey Dickerson doubled with one out. Kiermaier would double, himself, driving in Dickerson and the go-ahead run.
FRANCHISE PLAYER
With his walk in the fourth inning, Evan Longoria became the franchise leader in free passes, passing now Cubs utility man, Ben Zobrist. It was the 543rd of Longo’s career.
ROBBED BY D-ROB!
Rookie INF Daniel Robertson has gotten a lot of time at second base with Brad Miller on the DL. On Wednesday night he made a few slick plays. None more than this one as one rookie took away a hit from another in the fifth inning.
BACK-TO-BACK-JACKS!
Fast forward to the seventh inning. Colby Rasmus at the dish to lead off.
Colby Rasmus smash. The left fielder hits his fifth bomb of the season into the right field seats giving the Rays a 4-2 lead…
…and then Souza Jr destroys his second home run of the night in back-to-back fashion. The Rays now led the Angels 5-2, ending Nolasco’s night.
.@RaysBaseball RF Steven Souza Jr. chats with @ACorddry about his big game Wednesday night and snapping out of a slump. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/NMBOycajHa
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) May 25, 2017
It was the fifth time this season the Rays went back-to-back, most in MLB. They did it four times all of 2016.
COLOME GETS A DOZEN
Closer, Alex Colome, would slam the door in the top of the ninth for his 12th save of the season. The Rays would move to 23-24 on the year and look to split the four games Thursday.
NOTABLES:
- Since 2015, Erasmo Ramirez has made 31 starts for the Rays. He has gone 14-6 with a 3.32 ERA in 173.1 innings.
- Mike Trout and Dickerson are tied for the AL lead with 114 total bases after tonight’s game.
