The Tampa Bay Rays (39-40) defeated the Seattle Mariners (45-36) 4-3 on Monday night at Tropicana Field.
The Rays used a three-run eighth inning to beat Seattle. Tied 1-1 after four, Seattle scored two in the seventh to take the lead. In the eighth inning, Ben Rortvedt hit a ground-rule double to pull within 3-2. Moments later, Yandy Diaz hit a two-run single to give the Rays a 4-3 lead that would prove to be the final score.
Taj Bradley got the start for the Rays and allowed just one earned run on two hits while striking out eight and walking four and five and one-third innings of work. Phil Maton (1-2, 5.04) earned the win out of the bullpen before Pete Fairbanks earned his 12th save after working the ninth inning.
The Rays now will look to win the series against the Mariners when they meet in the second game on Tuesday night. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 6:50 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES