By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
The Tampa Bay Rays squandered a lead and lost to the Detroit Tigers, 4-2, on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
The Rays got on board with a 2-0 lead after Jonathan Aranda hit a solo home run in the first inning and then an RBI single by Brandon Lowe in the third inning, which brought Aranda home. Aranda has 11 home runs this season.
After the third inning, things changed for the Rays. It all began at the bottom of the fourth inning when Spencer Torkelson homered to left-center field to put the Tigers on the board. Torkelson hit his 21st home run of the season.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Colt Keith singled on a ground ball to left field to bring Zach McKinstry home. Tigers tied the game 2-2. Keith strikes again in the bottom of the seventh inning when he hits a clutch two-run home run to give the Tigers a 4-2 lead.
Tommy Kahnle would get the win for the Tigers. Will Vest recorded his 15th save of the season. Edwin Uceta got the loss for the Rays.
The Rays’ pitching was abysmal. They gave up six walks and three hit by pitches. Their offense didn’t show up either. The Rays had chances to put up more runs on the board, but they couldn’t come through when it mattered most.
The seventh inning became the most crucial inning for the Rays. They had men on base and didn’t do anything, and then they got hurt after Keith’s home run. The Rays had a big problem ahead of them.
Rays’ bullpen must stop giving up the lead and control the game. Ray’s front office needs to add more depth in the bullpen if they want to make a push in the second half of the season.
Game Notes:
– Rays left six men on base.
– Rays went 1-for-8 in runners in scoring position
– Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim struck out three times
– The Rays as a team struck out 11 times
Rays will try to avoid getting swept by the Tigers on Wednesday.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
X: @mmm_sportnfilms, Instagram: @miguel_passionforsports and @themmmjournal, LinkedIn: The MMM Journal, TikTok: @miguelmikemedina
