Wednesday, 4 a.m.
Finally, a victory. Finally, the torment has ended, at least for a night.
Finally, a reason to smile.
After four straight losses, embarrassing ones, the Rays managed to win a game on Tuesday. It was like light in a darkened room, like food for a starting team. Lowe hit a 3-2 pitch over the fence in the bottom of the ninth inning, the team’s fifth walk-off win of the year.
Lowe, hitting .205, hit his homer off Chicago closer Hector Neris. It was a winning blow by an underachieving second baseman on an underachieving team, but it was a start .
Here, then, is what has been missing from the Tampa Bay Rays during their recent losing streak.
— Timely hitting. This time, Lowe provided that, hitting a three-run walk off homer to lead the Ryas to a 5-2 win.
— Sold relief pitching. The Rays sent four relievers to the mound. None of them allowed a run.
— Good defense. Watch Jose Siri’s sprint toward a fly ball,
-- Resiliency. The Rays scored four runs in the ninth inning for their 18th come-from behind victory.
It all added up to a rare (lately) victory by the Rays, who are 32-35 on the season.
There isn’t much like a walk-off victory for a struggling team. And while this doesn’t guarantee anything long-term, it is a slice of relief.
Earlier in the ninth inning, Jose Caballero had tied the game with a single up the middle to drive in Richie Palacios.
Zach Eflin started and allowed two runs in 5 2/3 wins. He was followed by Garrett Cleavinger, Shawn Armstrong, Jason Adam and Chris Devenski, all of whom threw zeroes up.
Yandy Diaz and Ben Rortvedt each had two hits for the Rays.
The Rays and Cubs play again at 6:50 p.m. tonight at Tropicana Field. Aaron Civale will start for the Rays against Javier Assad.