The Tampa Bay Rays (78-48) defeated the Philadelphia Phillies (63-62) 3-1 on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. The Rays remain four games ahead of the Yankees atop the AL East.
Tied 1-1, Nelson Cruz hit a two-run double in the top of the eighth inning to give the Rays a 3-1 lead. Cruz finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBIs in his return to the lineup after a short stint on the COVID-related IL.
Drew Rasmussen pitched five solid innings in which he allowed only one run, while JT Chargois picked up the win out of the bullpen. Andrew Kittredge pitched the final two innings for his third save of the season.
The Rays will now look to sweep the Phillies in the short two game series on Wednesday night. First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 7:05 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES