Tuesday, 4 a.m.
Maybe you’ve heard this one before. After all, the story of the 2024 Tampa Bay Rays starts with a runner stranded in scoring position.
Once again, the Rays continued to freeze up with a chance of scoring in a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
The Rays, 28th in the majors with runners in scoring position, went one-for-nine with runners on either second or third Tuesday night. Couple that with two home runs surrendered (another sore spot for the Rays), and it’s no wonder that the team was one run short.
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The Rays left eight men on base.
The Twins didn’t do much better. They were two-for-10 with runners in scoring position. But they got a three-run homer from Trevor Larnach in the second inning and a solo shot from Brooks Lee.
The Rays fell to three games under .500 (67-70).
Rays’ starter Zack Littell had a rough night. He lasted just four innings and gave up seven hits.
The Rays had 10 hits, including two each from Junior Caminero, Josh Lowe and Jonny DeLuca. DeLuca also homed in the eighth to bring the Rays to within a run.
The Twins and Rays play again tonight at 6:50 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Jeffrey Springs will start for the Rays against David Festa.