Monday, 4 a.m.
Throughout an unsatisfying season, there have been too many games the Rays have lost that they should have won.
This was the other kind.
The Rays swiped one Sunday afternoon. They beat the Cincinnati Reds, 2-1, and when it was over, they were still trying to figure out just how. They managed just three hits for the day. They made three errors and they were one-for-seven with runners in scoring position. They left eight men on base. They struck out eight times.
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And they won.
Really.
The Rays scored twice in the eighth inning to pull out the game. To scorethe firstrun, Amed Rosario struck out on a pitch in the dirt with the bases loaded, but the ball bounced away from catcher Austin Wynns that allowed Rosario to reach first and Jose Caballero to score from third
After that, Richie Palacios walked to force in Brandon Lowe.
In the inning, the Rays had three walks and a single by Brandon Lowe that dribbled down the third base line and hit the bag. Lowe had two of the Rays’ three hits.
The Rays pieced together a good pitching performance from six hurlers, none of whom went more than two innings. Pete Fairbanks got his 20th save of the season.
Cincinnati’s only run was unearned.
The Rays made twi more player-for-prospects trades Sunday, sending Jason Adam to San Diego for three minor leagues. After their win, they sent all-star Isaac Paredes to the Chicago Cubs for two minor leaguers and young outfielder Christopher Morel.
The Rays are off today. They play Miami at Tropicana Field at 6:50 p.m. Tuesday.