Rays close out series against Chicago with a victory, but lose their star center fielder in the process.
For the series ender against the Chicago White Sox, Jake Odorizzi took the mound with hopes of redeeming himself after a rough start in Seattle on Friday. Chicago starter Derek Holland had a similar mission, coming off two straight losses. Both pitchers only made it 2.1 innings in their last start.
Tampa Bay took advantage of Holland’s (4-6) rough streak. He made it through 4.2 innings, doubling his last start, but gave up six runs on nine hits and three walks, and threw 101 pitches. Three of those hits given up left the ballpark.
Odorizzi Redeems Himself
After throwing 48 pitches in the first inning his last start, Odorizzi came out and tossed half that through the first two innings. Through five innings, Odorizzi held the White Sox scoreless. Then in the sixth, after giving up back-to-back singles, Avisail Garcia hit a three-run homer to the Ducky’s porch in left-center field.
Odorizzi got out of the inning and came out in the seventh striking out the first two batters faced. But after giving up a single, Cash decided Odorizzi had done enough and pulled him after 6.2 innings. After throwing 110 pitches and only allowing three runs on eight hits, while striking out eight, Odorizzi (4-3) showed that he put his last start behind him quick.
Rays End Homerless Streak In a Big Way
Tim Beckham came around in the second off a Kevin Kiermaier double that put the Rays on the board and in the lead early. Derek Norris hit a 387 foot home run (6) in the third to add to the lead. The home run broke a three game stretch for the Rays, who had not hit one since Saturday in Seattle.
But Norris was not done.
In the fourth, in his next at-bat, he hit another one to almost the exact same spot in left field for his seventh. Peter Bourjos, who just came off the disabled list tonight, came in and hit his third of the year just a few sections over from Norris; the eighth time the Rays went back-to-back this season.
Following Derek Norris’s two-run homer, Peter Bourjos belts a towering solo shot deep into the left-field seats to add to the Rays’ lead!!! pic.twitter.com/BAyKnJIcWI
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) June 9, 2017
After replacing Kiermaier, Colby Rasmus hit the Rays fourth homer of the game. This insurance run came at the exact right time, as the White Sox had brought the lead down to one after a two-run shot of their own in the top of the eighth.
Scary Moment For Rays
Kiermaier was pulled in the sixth and replaced by Rasmus after a tumble at first base during his at-bat in the fifth. Kiermaier attempted to beat the throw and slide feet first into the bag. The Rays training staff had to come and check on him and ultimately help Kiermaier off the field. The initial diagnosis is a jammed right hip.
Here’s Kiermaier explaining what happened as he stood on crutches in the clubhouse…
KK on what happened in the 5th pic.twitter.com/ZF9JOy5tBi
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) June 9, 2017
I asked Kiermaier how he felt about Rasmus’ performance as his replacement tonight…
I asked Kiermaier how he felt about Rasmus hitting a home run after he replaced him in the game: #RaysUppic.twitter.com/qFuRSXDHH8
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) June 9, 2017
Another Win, Another Colome Save
After short outings by Tommy Hunter and Ryne Stanek, Alex Colome came in and picked up his 17th save of the season. For the Rays- another series win.
Manager Kevin Cash was happy with tonight’s outcome…
Cash on tonight’s win #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/l0uVlFirCg
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) June 9, 2017
Next Up
The Oakland A’s come to Tropicana Field starting Friday for a marathon four-game series over three days. Four games in 45 hours. Hope the Rays momentum after back-to-back wins continues, as well as the positive home record this season.
