The Rays finished closed out the weekend on a winning note following a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sunday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park. After exchanging runs throughout the game, the Rays struck in the bottom of the ninth for a walk-off win. The Rays pitching core was extremely successful with four of the seven pitchers throwing no-hit innings. The game also marked the return of Evan Longoria who was injured on opening day as well as the spring debut for Luke Scott.
The Pirates were the first to reach the scoreboard in the fourth inning. Andrew McCutchen singled to third but an errant throw by Longoria allowed Alex Presley to score and gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
The Rays bounced back in the home half of the fourth. Reid Brignac drove home Longoria with a bunt single to tie the game 1-1.
The Pirates then regained the lead in the fifth on a solo home run by Pedro Alvarez to take a 2-1 lead.
Then the Rays tied the game once again in the bottom of the fifth. Sam Fuld scored on a sac fly by Longoria to tie the game 2-2.
The Pirates used a long ball to grab the lead in the ninth when Jake Fox homered to left to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead.
Then in the bottom of the ninth, the Rays mounted a game winning rally. It was Chris Gimenez playing the hero role as he singled home John Shelby and Matt Mangini to give the Rays a 4-3 walk-off win.
Josh Lueke was the winner as he evened his spring record to 1-1.
Notable Performances
- Reid Brignac was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
- Chris Gimenez drove home 2 runs to win the game.
- Brandon Gomes pitched a no-hit inning.
- JP Howell pitched a no-hit inning.
- Matt Mangini was 2 for 2 with a double and a run scored.
- Jake McGee pitched a no-hit inning.
- Jose Molina was 2 for 3.
- Jeff Niemann pitched 3 no-hit innings with 2 strikeouts.
A Look Ahead: The Rays host the Minnesota Twins on Monday at Charlotte Sports Park. James Shields is scheduled to start followed by Kyle Farnsworth, Jake McGee, Cesar Ramos, Matt Bush and Matt Torra. Carl Pavano is the scheduled starter for the Twins.
Quite an ending to the game, Shelby barely best out an infield single and Mangini doubled off a LHP to set up the single by Giminez into the SS hole that ended up being the game winner.
ReplyDeleteLueke gave up the HR to Fox in the 9th and still got the win.
Fuld made a great catch in the LF corner at/over the fence to rob Walker in the second.
How is Josh Luetke being received (if at all) by Rays fans? He was greeted by a ruckus in a pint glass by some fans when he arrived in Seattle owing to his brush with the criminal legal system. I thought the minor uproar was entirely unfair and was interested in his stuff. I also thought Josh for Jaso was a decent trade for both teams, but Jaso's having a poor (make that really bad) spring and looked shaky at 1B when I was down in AZ last week. Thanks for any response.
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