Written by Marc Topkin
The Tampa Bay Times
The city of Minneapolis Wasn’t that going to happen again?
The Rays bullpen had blown a multi-inning lead in the second half of the game for the third day in a row.
And it was just a few swings, a poor bounce, or a strange decision from unheard-of suffering—a third consecutive walkoff loss.
This has never occurred in the 28 seasons of the franchise’s existence, not even during the gloomy early Devil Rays era.
Not to this team, though.
Or not just now, anyhow.
Jose Caballero, who began the day on the bench and played a significant role in the 7-5 10-inning triumph over the Twins, stated, “We didn’t want to see that picture.”
We had to deliver after those first two defeats here. Particularly when they caught us after we had the lead till the eighth. The squad needed that win, therefore we had to figure out how to obtain it.
For a team that had lost six of its past eight games following an incredible six-week run, with the bullpen responsible for the last four losses, that may be putting it gently.
According to Caballero, it’s enormous. Regaining the winning path is a huge accomplishment. [Sunday] was a great illustration of our unwavering faith in this team and our ability to find a way to win. We managed to win the match.
After Drew Rasmussen’s second pitch, the Rays fell behind 1-0, but Taylor Walls’ home run in the third inning and All-Star Jonathan Aranda’s RBI single that scored Caballero in the fourth gave them a 2-1 lead. When Caballero misplayed a smash hit by Brooks Lee at second base in the sixth inning at 110.3 mph, the Twins tied the score.
When the Rays rallied in the ninth, it appeared as though karma was on their side.
A Caballero bunt and singles by Yandy Diaz and Matt Thaiss placed runners on second and third with one out. Two runs were scored by a sluggish grounder by Aranda that sailed past Twins reliever Griffin Jax and a squibber by batter Junior Caminero in front of the plate.
All right?
The Rays didn’t think that would happen again, but then it did.
Like Friday, when Garrett Cleavinger and Edwin Uceta lost after giving up a two-run lead in the seventh.
Additionally, they lost on Saturday after Kevin Kelly squandered a four-run lead in the sixth inning.
It was Mason Montgomery this time. Another lead was lost after Harrison Bader, the former Florida Gator who defeated them on Friday, blasted an elevated 1-1 slider and a one-out walk to Willi Castro.
It is human instinct to say, “Here we go again.”
That was not the case, according to veteran closer Pete Fairbanks, who took Montgomery’s position and recorded five outs.
“I don’t believe that feeling of waver ever existed,” he remarked. I take it that this is a two-game blip out of 162? It is obviously far more significant if it occurs in October as opposed to July 4th and 5th.
Apparently, those weren’t among the other colorful words that were spoken in the Rays dugout. Pitchers and hitters were picking one other up more than anything else.
“That Bader homer is a punch in the gut to a lot of our guys,” said All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe, who had to leave the game early due to left side pain, ending his hit streak at 20 games. However, several of our players simply said, “Fuck it, we’ll get you some more runs.” Let’s get started. and gave us another lead after taking on a solid arm in [Justin] Topa.
That’s what the Rays did, scoring three runs in the tenth on a Caminero sacrifice fly, a double by Diaz, and a bunt by Caballero that the Twins misplayed into a run. Eric Orze, a reliever, made sure the lead didn’t escape.
“I don’t think we’re ever out of a fight with the way our guys are swinging it right now,” said starter Drew Rasmussen, who only pitched two innings as part of a new strategy to reduce his workload. There is something completely unreal about it.
Instead of moping, the Rays were rejoicing over what was, in any case, a significant victory and encouraging display of tenacity for Game 90 in early July.
“There’s a lot of optimism and a constant belief that we’ll succeed,” manager Kevin Cash remarked. We might have been quite irritated, and that might have been the conclusion. However, the boys persisted.
The victory, which raised the Rays’ record to 49-41, was especially significant because the team will be playing the Tigers, who have the best record in the American League, in Detroit.
You must have 90 or more wins at the end of the season in order to qualify for the postseason. Rasmussen said, “And you’ll take them any way they come.” Getting [one Sunday] as we leave town is a tremendous relief after the last couple of heartbreaks. Gain some momentum before facing Detroit, a very good team, in a series that is very fantastic.
Therefore, it is crucial to give us the chance to enter Detroit with some confidence.
Even though the trip lasted just over an hour, Fairbanks predicted that there would be some celebration because of what they had experienced over the last two days and the significance of Sunday’s victory.
“We’ll enjoy ourselves,” he said. Or I’ll make someone enjoy themselves. Wins are pleasant.
