Tampa Bay Rays Victim of Bottom of the Ninth Rally by Philadelphia Phillies

The Game: The Tampa Bay Rays battled back from three runs down but a late game surge by the Philadelphia Philles led to the Rays losing their seventh game of the spring. The Rays could not hold on in the last two innings of the game and lost 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Brighthouse Networks Field in Clearwater.

The Phillies took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Ryan Howard went deep off Wade Davis to lead off the inning and give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.

The Phillies extended their lead in the third inning. They lead off the inning once again with a home run, this time it was Brian Schneider taking the offering from Cesar Ramos over the right field wall. The second run came later in the inning when Raul Ibanez and Ryan Howard delivered back to back singles. Placido Polanco then singled home Ibanez to increase the lead to 3-0.

The Rays battled back to tie the game with a three run fifth inning. Casey Kotchman led off the inning with a double to center. Kotchman then moved to third on a single by Joe Inglett. Ray Olmedo then laid down a bunt, scoring Kotchman but losing Inglett at second on the force. Desmond Jennings then drew a walk. A double by Sean Rodriguez would score Olmedo and Jennings to give tie the game 3-3.

The Rays took the lead in the top of the seventh inning. Inglett singled to center. Inglett then stole second and later scored on an RBI single by Chris Carter to give the Rays a 4-3 lead.

The Phillies bounced back to tie the game in the eighth inning. Matt Rizzotti delivered a solo home run off Cory Wade to tie the game 4-4.

The home team Phillies used the bottom of the ninth inning to take down the Rays. Roass Gload singled to right to lead off the inning. Delwyn Young then laid down a sac bunt to advance the runner, but a throwing error by JJ Furmaniak led to Young reach base and Gload moving to second. Pete Orr then laid down a sac bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. Joel Naughton singled home the winning run with a single to right, scoring Gload and handing the Rays a 5-4 loss.

Brian Baker was charged with the loss. Wade Davis started the game, pitched 2 inning and allowed 1 run on 2 hits with 2 strikeouts. Juan Cruz, Jake McGee, Jonah Bayliss and Brandon Gomes each provided a no-hit inning of relief. Cesar Ramos surrendered 2 runs on 4 hits and Cory Wade allowed 1 run on 1 hit.

RP Top Prospect Watch:
Tim Beckham: 1 for 1 with a single.
Robinson Chirinos: 0 for 3 with 3 K's.
Desmond Jennings: 0 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.
Jake McGee: pitched a no-hit inning, striking out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced.

A Look Ahead: The Rays (1-7-1) travel to McKechnie Field to play the Pittsburgh Pirates (5-5) on Monday. David Price will start for the Rays facing Ross Ohlendorf for the Pirates. Mike Ekstrom, Rob Delaney, Matt Bush and Alex Cobb are also expected to pitch.