The Tampa Bay Rays (71-57) defeated the Miami Marlins (55-74) 7-2 on Tuesday night in the first game of a short two game series in Miami.
The night began with ominous news, as lefty ace Shane McClanahan was scratched from the lineup during warmups with what the team is calling left shoulder impingement. Manager Kevin Cash said afterwards they were "fairly optimistic" McClanahan won't miss much time, and that a MRI on Wednesday will be key to confirming a diagnosis.
The Rays offense showed up in his absence, scoring two in the third and three in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead. After adding a solo homer from Jose Siri in the seventh, the Marlins got two runs back in the bottom of the seventh. Randy Arozarena hit a solo homer in the ninth to lift the Rays to a 7-2 lead.
Shawn Armstrong wound up pitching the first three innings of this game, allowing just three hits, before giving way to J.T. Chargois (2-0, 0-00) who picked up the win after pitching a scoreless inning of relief.
The Rays now look to sweep the Marlins in the short two game series on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM - Jay Recher begins pregame coverage with the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES