The 70’s were all about style. Throwback Day at Tropicana Field between the Rays and Athletics brought it all back.
The last scheduled doubleheader in MLB took place on July 16, 2011.
This four-game series against Oakland takes place over a span of about 45 hours.
Five Leads to Three
In the third inning, Rays’ starter Erasmo Ramirez got into trouble. After retiring the lead-off man, former Rays outfielder Matt Joyce singled to right field, his second hit of the game. Chad Pinder moved Joyce to third with his single to Rays’ center fielder Mallex Smith. A third consecutive hit, a double by Jed Lowrie, drove home the first Oakland run.
Khris Davis and Yonder Alonso would push the lead to 3-0 with RBI singles. Ramirez allowed five-straight hits before ultimately, a 6-4-3 double-play prevented any further damage.
Souza Drives in Pair
Steven Souza Jr picked up RBI’s number 37 and 38 with a fourth-inning single. Mallex Smith reached safely on a throwing error by Oakland starter Sonny Gray. Evan Longoria doubled two batters later, that’s when Souza brought the Rays within a run.
.@SouzaJr drives in two and it’s a one-run game!#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/ZBbfQO9r6x
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 10, 2017
Beckham Comes Through
Trailing by two runs in the sixth inning, Tim Beckham drove a double to deep right-center field scoring Longoria and Souza Jr. Longoria reached by notching his second double of the game.
Beckham, who went 3-for-4 with a home run on Friday night, now has 31 RBI on the season. Perhaps it’s time that the league takes notice of the former first-round pick. Beckham is third in the AL in HR (10) and RBI (31). He has five more RBI than Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. He also has a higher BA (.279 vs .262) than the AL’s leading vote-getter at the position.
According to Fangraphs, Beckham’s “hard-hit ball” percentage (45.6%) is 6th-best in the league as well.
Mallex Sends a Message
Dear Mom,
The big leagues are pretty nice. But I’m in trouble a lot for stealing.
Love,
Mallex pic.twitter.com/g031jUP4vj— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 10, 2017
Kevin Kiermaier‘s replacement in centerfield, Smith has four stolen bases over his last two games. He picked up stolen base number eight in the fifth inning on Saturday afternoon.
Longoria’s Big Day
After a Peter Bourjos base hit, followed by a wild-pitch, Longoria provided the home fans with something to celebrate. A walk-off victory. After the game, Longoria spoke about his recent struggles
“It’s been quite a while since I’ve gotten a walk-off hit so it felt good,” Longoria said between games.
Peter Bourjos Avoids Shower
.@RaysBaseball OF Peter Bourjos is able to dodge the postgame ice bath while he chats with a groovy @ACorddry. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/UkXz5KloUQ
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) June 10, 2017
Game 2
Matt Andriese (5-1; 3.45) has been activated from the 10-day DL and will start for Tampa Bay. Ryan Garton has been sent down to Triple-A to make room on the roster.
Oakland counters with Sean Manaea (5-3; 3.81)
Cash Happy to See Longoria Breakout
Cash talks about Longoria after walkoff win pic.twitter.com/XXhxETrPMG
— Kris Dunn (@KrisDunnMLB) June 10, 2017
