The Tampa Bay Rays (61-61) are back to .500 after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks (69-55) 6-1 on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Rays have now won the series after winning two in a row against Arizona.
The Rays struck with two in the bottom of the first, beginning with Josh Lowe hitting a RBI triple to make it 1-0. Moments later he stole home while Junior Caminero stole second base in a double steal. The Rays added two in the second thanks to a two-run single from Yandy Diaz.
After Arizona got one back in the fifth, Brandon Lowe hit a two-run homer in the sixth to give the Rays a 6-1 advantage, which would prove to be the final score.
Jeffrey Springs (1-0, 3.86) got the start and allowed one earned run on four hits while striking out seven and walking one. A bullpen combination of Edwin Uceta, Garrett Cleavinger, Manuel Rodriguez and Richard Lovelady pitched four shutout innings - for Lovelady, he earned his first save of the season after getting the final four outs of the game.
The Rays will now try to sweep the Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon. First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 1:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Chris Adams-Wall hosting This Week In Rays Baseball at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMGAES