Aranda tied the game in the ninth./KIM HUKARI
Wednesday, 4 a.m.
In the days to come, the Rays may try to explain exactly how they won Tuesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies.
It's going to take a while.
The Rays, inexplicably, won a 9-7 comeback in 11 innings at Coors Field. The Rays have now scored 22 runs in two games against Colorado, the last-place team of the National League West.
Consider:
The Rays' newly acquired pitcher, Freddy Peralta, continued his struggles. He lasted just 3 2/3 innings and gave up nine hits and seven runs. He blew a 5-1 lead. Peralta gave up a three-run homer and a two-run homer.
The Rays stranded eight haserunners in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings combined.
So how, exactly, did they win?
Start with a grand slam (and a double) from newly aquired Liam Hicks. Throw in a game-tying two-run single by Jonathan Aranda in the ninth. Add a insurance RBI single by Junior Caminero in the 11th.
Add a terrific night by the bullpen. Six Rays' relievers threw shutout baseball, allowing just two hits over 7 1/3 innings.
Garrett Cleavinger worked his way out of a 10th inning situation where the Rockies had the winning run at third with one out.
Bryan Baker earned his 32nd save.
Hicks, Yandy Diaz, Caminero and Chandler Simpson all had two hits for the Rays. Jake McCarthy had three hits for Colorado.
The teams close out their series today at 3:10 p.m. Nick Martinez will start for the Rays against Tommyuki Sugano.