The Tampa Bay Rays (76-51) defeated the Colorado Rockies (48-77) 12-4 on Tuesday night to win the opening game of a three-game series and six-game homestand.
The Rays built a 3-2 lead after the fourth inning, but Colorado scored two runs in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead. That would be the score until the eighth inning, when Tampa Bay's offense erupted.
Tampa Bay sent thirteen batters to the plate in the eighth inning, and nine of them came home to score to turn this game into a blowout. Osslevis Basabe provided the highlight moment when he hit a grand slam for his first major league home run and put this game away.
Zack Littell got the start for the Rays, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking one in five and one-third innings of work. Though he did not factor into the decision, he threw 80 pitches - 57 for strikes - to keep the Rays in the game.
The Rays now look to win the series when the meet the Rockies in the middle game of the three-game series on Wednesday night. Aaron Civale (6-3, 2.44) will start for the Rays, opposed by Austin Gomber (9-9, 5.52) for the Rays. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM - Ronnie & T-Kras begin pregame coverage with the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES