The only thing missing from tonight was the presumed future owner of the Rays, Patrick Zalupski, meeting Junior Caminero out at second base and presenting him with a big, blank check after his go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning. It would have been warranted and I think even the Mariners would have understood the stoppage.
The two-run double that Caminero ripped down the line was his third hit of the night and accounted for his 99th and 100th runs batted in on the year. In the first inning he collected his first hit of the night and his 97th RBI, driving in Yandy Diaz. In the sixth, he hit a towering, game-tying blast to left field for his 98th RBI and 40th home run.He became just the second player in franchise history to reach the 40 homer mark, joining Carlos Pena. On the night, he finished 3-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. Each hit came in a crucial spot and either gave the Rays the lead or tied the game. In a game that the Rays needed to win, Caminero showed up in a big, big way.While I could talk about Caminero all day, the pitching matchup on Tuesday night was a stellar one with Drew Rasmussen facing off against Bryan Woo.
Despite getting tagged for a pair of runs in the first inning, Woo settled in nicely prior to surrendering the sixth inning game-tying solo shot to Junior that would end his night. In total he went 5+ innings and allowed three runs on four hits. He walked and struck out three.
Rasmussen was again solid, going five innings. He too allowed three runs on four hits. He walked none and struck out a pair. All the damage came in the fourth inning during which he surrendered a trio of solo blasts to Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and Jorge Polanco. At the time, Polanco’s home run gave the M’s a 3-2 lead.
The Rays, and Kevin Cash, were able to overcome rocky outings from Edwin Uceta and Griffin Jax. Both relievers were unable to complete the frame they started. Uceta walked three and Jax allowed two free passes of his own.
Jax, again struggled while facing the Mariners and rather than earn the save up a pair of runs in the ninth, he loaded the bases and gave way to Garrett Cleavinger who was nails.
the southpaw earned his second save of the year and wiggled out of the jam allowing just one run.This was a game they had to have (Spoiler Alert: Just about every game is now), and they found a way. The win, their fifth in a row, moved them to just 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. They have a chance to sweep tomorrow and then will turn their attention to another pivotal series against the Guardians.
