The Tampa Bay Rays (33-36) defeated the Chicago Cubs (33-36) 3-2 on Thursday night at Tropicana Field. The win gives the Rays a series win in the interleague series, and Tampa Bay finished a seven game homestand with a 2-5 mark before embarking on the longest road trip of the season.
The Cubs hit three straight bunts in the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead. That would be the score until the seventh inning. Josh Lowe, Ben Rortvedt and Yandy Diaz all came through with RBIs in the seventh inning to rally the Rays to a 3-2 lead.
Taj Bradley (2-4, 4.23) got the start and pitched seven innings in which he allowed two runs - none of them earned - on three hits while striking out eleven and walking two. Colin Poche worked the eighth inning before Pete Fairbanks earned his ninth save of the season by working the ninth inning. He got a huge assist from Taylor Walls, who turned a remarkable double play to end the game.
The Rays now go on the road for the longest road trip of the season beginning with a three-game series in Atlanta against the Braves. The series gets started on Friday night at 7:20 PM - Zack Littell (2-4, 3.63) is scheduled to start for the Rays and face Chris Sale (8-2, 3.01) for the Braves. Pregame coverage on Friday begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES