by : Jay Recher
@jayRecher
In a game where every single starter in the Rays lineup picked up a base hit, the Rays defeated the Reds 8-3 on Wednesday afternoon at Tropicana Field in the rubber match of this three-game set.
Trevor Plouffe and Taylor Featherston each homered, and Steven Souza Jr. went 3 for 5 with two RBI as Tampa Bay enters the off day on a high note.
Erasmo Ramirez was solid on the mound for the Rays, throwing 5 1/3 innings giving up 2 hits, 2 runs 3 walks and striking out 6.
Ramirez (4-2) didn't give up a hit thru the first four innings but finally got touched up in the 5th.
Cincinnati RF Scott Schebler hit his 20th jack of the year as he took the Tampa Bay righthander deep to left-center and the Rays lead was down to 3-1.
Things got a little hairy in the 6th when Schebler singled off the glove of Rays reliever Jose Alvarado for an infield hit to score a run and cut the Tampa Bay lead to one, but Alvarado recovered and struck out Devin Mesoraco to end the rally.
That strikeout seemed to spark the Rays offense.
RBI singles from Souza and Dickerson preceded a two-RBI double by Logan Morrison and the game was then out of reach.
Tim Adleman kept the Reds in the game before being let down by his bullpen. Adleman (4-4) went five innings giving up seven hits, three runs, four walks and striking out seven.
Chase Whitley pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for his 2nd save of the year.
What's Next For The Rays : The Rays are off tomorrow but back in action on Friday night as they welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Tropicana Field for the first game of a three-game set. Tampa Bay will send RHP Chris Archer (5-4, 3.75) to the mound and Baltimore will counter with RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (2-2, 6.25). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm with our coverage kicking things off at 6pm with the Inside Pitch ONLY on 620WDAE and 95.3FM, Home of the Rays!!