Bradley Solid, but Semien’s Homer Seals the Game: Rays 3, Rangers 4

Rays couldn’t stretch a seventh-inning rally into a win.

The Tampa Bay Rays series winning streak will end at five as they fell to the Texas Rangers 4-3 on Saturday.

Things got off to a hopeful start for the Rays as Yandy Diaz hit a leadoff double to get the game started. Randy Arozarena reached on a hit-by-pitch in the next plate appearance, and just like that, there were two runners on and no outs. As a sign of how the day would go, neither runner would score as Amed Rosario grounded into a double play, and Isaac Paredes grounded out to end the inning and leave Diaz stranded at third base.

The scoring began in the bottom of the second inning when the Rangers took a 1-0 lead. Andrew Knizner stepped up to the plate with two outs and delivered a clutch single, driving in Jonah Heim from second base. The timely hit came after Taj Bradley had walked Leody Taveras, putting runners on first and second. Bradley escaped further damage by striking out Jonathan Ornelas, leaving the Rangers with a slim one-run advantage.

The top of the third inning brought excitement as the Rays mounted a potential scoring threat. Yandy Díaz walked with two outs, and Randy Arozarena followed with a double to left field, advancing Díaz to third. However, with two runners in scoring position, Andrew Heaney showcased his prowess on the mound by striking out Amed Rosario. This strikeout ended the inning and marked Heaney’s 1,000th career strikeout.

At the bottom of the third, Marcus Semien walked and advanced to third on a single by Corey Seager and a passed ball by Rays catcher Alex Jackson. Nathaniel Lowe then singled, bringing Semien home. Despite the Rangers threatening for more with runners on first and third and no outs, Bradley got Adolis Garcia to flyout and induced a double play from Wyatt Langford to limit the damage to a 2-0 Rangers lead.

Both teams’ pitchers settled in from the fourth to the sixth innings, as neither side managed to add to the scoreboard or allow more than one baserunner in any inning.

Andrew Heaney delivered a stellar performance for the Rangers, going 5.1 innings, allowing only three hits and no runs, walking two, and striking out seven on 92 pitches. His command and control were instrumental in keeping the Rays off the scoreboard during his time on the mound.

The top of the seventh inning saw the Rays finally break through. Jonny DeLuca singled and stole second base, setting up a potential scoring opportunity. Despite Brandon Lowe striking out, Taylor Walls singled to advance DeLuca to third. With some smart baserunning, Walls read the throw from the outfield to advance to second base. After another strikeout, this time by Josh Lowe, Yandy Díaz came to the plate with two outs and runners on second and third. Díaz delivered a three-run home run, his eighth of the season, launching a line drive to left field and turning the game around, giving the Rays a 3-2 lead.

With the team having a lead and after being on the bench for an extended time thanks to two Rangers pitching changes, Taj Bradley’s day ended as the Rays turned to the bullpen in the seventh inning. Bradley had an impressive outing for the Rays, pitching six strong innings. He gave up five hits, two runs (one earned), and issued two walks while striking out five on just 79 pitches. His ability to limit the Rangers’ offense despite their early scoring attempts was crucial in keeping the game within reach for the Rays.

The Rangers, however, wasted no time responding in the bottom of the seventh with Kevin Kelly on the mound for the Rays. Taveras singled, and with two outs, Semien blasted a two-run home run to left-center field, reclaiming the lead for Texas at 4-3. This dramatic home run energized the home crowd and shifted the momentum back to the Rangers.

The Rays’ bullpen managed to keep the Rangers from extending their lead in the eighth inning, but the bats fell short in the final frames.

David Robertson, brought in for the eighth inning for the Rangers, retired the side easily, and Kirby Yates took the mound in the ninth to close the game. Yates induced three quick outs to end the game.

The Rays will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow with the first pitch at 2:35 p.m. Zack Littell (3-5, 3.94) will take the mound for the Rays, with Nathan Eovaldi (5-3, 3.15) getting the start for the Rangers.