The Tampa Bay Rays (54-52) defeated the Cincinnati Reds (50-55) 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Rays are now two games above .500 and have won the series against Cincinnati.
The Rays offense struggled early in this game, not getting a hit until there were two out in the bottom of the sixth inning. Reds starter Hunter Greene finished the game pitching seven shutout innings in which he allowed just two Rays hits.
The Rays were able to get to Fernando Cruz (3-8, 4.81) in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded Amed Rosario struck out but reached on the wild pitch that allowed Jose Caballero to score. Moments later Richie Palacios accepted a bases loaded walk to give the Rays a 2-1 lead that would prove to be the final score.
Shawn Armstrong was the opener and allowed just one unearned run in his two innings of work. Garret Cleavinger (7-2, 3.21) earned the win out of the bullpen before Pete Fairbanks earned his 20th save after working a scoreless ninth.
The Rays are now off on Monday before hosting the Miami Marlins for a two-game series beginning on Tuesday night. First pitch on Tuesday 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