Cincinnati Reds came into Tropicana Field on Monday night & beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 ending their nine game losing streak & putting an end to the Rays modest two game winning streak. First baseman Joey Votto had three hits & scored two runs while second baseman Scooter Gennett had two hits including a home run & a double. Meanwhile starter Scott Feldman keep the Rays' bats quiet early in the game, allowing just one run in six innings as the Reds broke a 3-3 tie in the 8th with three runs vs the Rays bullpen.
The first four innings were fairly quiet for both teams, although the Rays put two men on in the second & had the bases loaded in the fourth. Unfortunately the newest Ray Trevor Plouffe, who was the designated hitter, couldn't come through in either scoring opportunity. In the second inning Plouffe grounded out to the pitcher for the second out of the inning. Then with the bases loaded, Plouffe hit into a ground ball double play ending that threat.
The Reds broke the scoreless tie when right fielder Scott Schebler hit a solo home run off Jake Odorizzi. And they extended the lead the next inning when center fielder Billy Hamilton led off with a walk then Gennett hit a two run home run giving the Reds a 3-0 lead. The Rays did finally get to Reds starter Scott Feldman when Steven Souza Jr hit a solo home run, off the Dome catwalk, his 14th of the season, cutting the Reds' lead to two. And just like the Reds, the Rays followed their one run inning with two more runs in the seventh to tie the game at three when Daniel Robertson hit his fifth home run of the year after Plouffe led off the inning with a single.
After tying the game in their half of the seventh, Rays Manager Kevin Cash went to his bullpen hoping they would hold up while the Reds bullpen would crack. But that wasn't the case, as the Reds regained the lead in the eighth scoring three runs all charged to rookie reliever lefty Jose Alvarado. Alvarado started the inning by allowing the three batters he faced to reach base including the game-winning RBI single by Votto.
The Rays try to get back their winning ways on Tuesday night when these two teams play the second of the three game series. Rays send righty Alex Cobb 5-5 4.17 to the mound while the Reds will counter with lefty Amir Garrett 3-5 6.91. Coverage starts on 620 WDAE with the Inside Pitch hosted by Steve Carney.