The Tampa Bay Rays (81-54) defeated the San Diego Padres (72-64) 7-6 on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field. With the win, the Rays have won the three-game interleague series against San Diego.
This was a back-and-forth game throughout. Tied 3-3 after six innings, the Padres scored three in the top of the seventh to take a 6-3 lead. The Rays answered in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game on a Yandy Diaz RBI single off the center field wall that saw two more runs score on an error by Luis Rengifo. Rengifo was injured on the play and was carted off the field with a non-contact knee injury. Moments later, Chandler Simpson drove in the game-winning run that made it 7-6, which would prove to be the final score.
Yandy finished the game 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored, while Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero both hit home runs. For Caminero, it was his 36th homer of the season. Nick Martinez got the start on the mound and didn't factor into the decision, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking none. Kevin Kelly (6-3, 1.98) was the pitcher of record when the Rays took the lead and picked up the win.
The Rays will now try to sweep the Padres in the series finale coming up on Sunday afternoon. Drew Rasmussen (14-5, 2.95) is scheduled to start for the Rays and face Robbie Ray (11-7, 3.21) for San Diego. 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 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES