The Tampa Bay Rays playoff hopes seem dim at this point, but this team just won’t go away. Sunday afternoon was just the way you would draw up a Rays victory. Great pitching and timely hitting were key. Jake Odorizzi only allowed 1 hit in 6 innings of work. That hit was a costly 2-run homer, but the bats immediately picked their guy up. Jesus Sucre’s homerun to left in the bottom half of the 6th put Tampa Bay back in front for good. The bullpen finished the job in a 3-2 victory.
Jake Odorizzi started off having one of his best starts of 2017 Sunday. He got some early support too. Evan Longoria’s 80th RBI scored Kevin Kiermaier in the bottom of the 1st to put the Rays on top. Longoria also got the 2nd RBI of the game when he secured an infield single with the bases loaded. That would be all the Rays could manage in that situation as the left them loaded.
Odorizzi had the Trop on a no-no watch through 5 innings, but Jackie Bradley Jr. put an end to all of that. After a leadoff walk, Bradley’s 2-run homer tied the game at 2. Jake composed himself and got through the rest of the inning unscathed. The offense didn’t want Jake’s great work to lead to a no-decision. Jesus Sucre sent a solo shot to the stands in left to regain the lead. That put the Rays’ A-bullpen in position to do their job. Sergio Romo, Tommy Hunter, and Alex Colome did just that. A beautiful double play would be the final nail in the coffin as Colome redeemed himself from Friday as he closed out the 3-2 victory.
The Rays are off on Monday night, but will face an old friend on Tuesday. Joe Maddon and the defending world champion, Chicago Cubs, will stroll into Tropicana Field. It will be a marquee pitching matchup on the field as well. Chris Archer will take the hill for Tampa Bay to face Jon Lester for Chicago. 1st pitch is scheduled for 7:10 with coverage beginning right at 6 with Steve Carney and the Inside Pitch.