Monday, 4 a.m.
After this, the Tampa Bay Rays can’t wait to scurry back home. You know, to Steinbrenner Field.
The Rays, the whipping boys of the Texas Rangers, lost another one Sunday afternoon. They lost 4-3, on Jonah Heim’s walk-off single. It not only completed a three-game streak. It was the ninth straight loss in Texas by the Rays.
Tampa Bay, which started the season 4-1, have now sunk to 4-5.
Once again, it was a lack of offense that doomed Tampa Bay. The Rays had 23 hits in the series, but only four of them in 18 chances with runners in scoring position.
The Rays fell behind 3-1 but tied the game in the eighth on a groundout by Brandon Lowe and a sacrifice fly by Junior Caminero. Ben Rortvedt, who had walked, and Jonny DeLuca, pinch running for Yandy Diaz (who had doubled) scored the runs.
Starter Drew Rasmussen allowed just one run and three hits in his five innings.
Josh Smith, who scored the winning run after his two-out double, had three hits (five in the series).
The Rays are home on Tuesday night against the Angels. Shane Baz will start for the Rays against Kyle Hendricks.