Arozarena lifts Rays to another win

by Gary Shelton on May 8, 2024

in general

Arozarena is coming around./TIM WIRT

Wednesday, 4 a.m.

When the world’s greatest showman runs out of glitter, what is he to do?

For Randy Arozarena, baseball had become hard. He was striking out too often. His bat no longer had the electricity of the old days. And his team was in a tailspin.

At his best, Arozarena is a big-moment player. But his moments this season were small ones.






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Slowly, however, Arozarena is showing signs of life again.

Suddenly, the world looks a little brighter.

Arozarena has been one of baseball’s worst hitters this year, a player who has been on the wrong side of .200 for the last 21 games. But Arozarena has slowly begun to swing better. He has three home runs in his last five games. 

Perhaps it is a coincidence that the Rays have won five straight. Perhaps not.

The Rays won again Tuesday night, 5-1 over Chicago. Zack Eflin went seven innings, allowing just one earned run.

Isaac Paredes had three hits, including his eighth home run. Jonny DeLuca had two hits.

The Rays conclude their series against Chicago tonight at Tropicana Field at 6:50 p.m. Aaron Civale will start for Tampa Bay against Chris Flexen.

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