TAMPA, Fla. – The Los Angeles Dodgers fell short 4-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon, a game marked by Blake Snell’s return to the mound, where he couldn’t find the support he desperately needed from his offense. The Rays, who have been playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field this season, capitalized on their few opportunities—particularly from Yandy Díaz—while the Dodgers’ bats mainly remained silent on Saturday afternoon.
It didn’t take long for Snell to feel the heat. In the very first inning, Díaz launched a leadoff home run to right field, sending a 326-foot shot over the wall on a fastball from the lefty. The early blast put the Rays up 1-0, and Snell, though still in control of the strike zone, had to battle through a few difficult situations thereafter. The two teams had a back-and-forth exchange, but it was Díaz again in the third inning who made the difference
After a single by Taylor Walls, Díaz returned to the plate and crushed another fastball, this time a two-run homer that easily cleared the right-field fence at 341 feet. With that, Tampa Bay took a commanding 3-0 lead. While the dimensions at George M. Steinbrenner Field affect these home run distances (the corners here are some of the shortest in MLB), the Dodgers couldn’t quite hit something.
Snell, for his part, showed flashes of his old self. He worked five innings, allowing just three hits and three earned runs while striking out eight on 86 pitches. The former Cy Young winner was efficient with his fastball placement but couldn’t escape Díaz’s early onslaught. Despite his solid outing, the Dodgers’ lineup had no answers for the Rays’ ace, Drew Rasmussen, who was in complete control.
Rasmussen dominated over his 5 ⅓ innings of work, scattering four hits, walking no one, and striking out six without allowing a run. The Dodgers were befuddled by Rasmussen’s sharp stuff and couldn’t string together any sort of meaningful threat. It was a particularly frustrating game for an offense that has had its fair share of firepower this season.
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Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Their best chance came in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with just one out. But in a situation where momentum could’ve swung their way, Teoscar Hernández grounded into a double play to end the threat.
The Rays tacked on one more run in the sixth. Junior Caminero greeted Dodgers left-hander Jack Dreyer by hitting a 400-foot solo shot to extend the Rays’ lead to 4-0. Dreyer came in to relieve Snell, but the damage had already been done.
The Dodgers’ bats never truly came to life, and their 11 strikeouts epitomized their collective struggle as a team. The offense was a stark contrast to the Rays’ ability to make the most of their limited chances, with Díaz’s two clutch home runs serving as the deciding factor in a well-pitched game.
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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) strikes out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
As both teams prepare for the rubber match on Sunday morning, the Dodgers’ right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (9-7, 2.63 ERA) and the Rays’ right-hander Joe Boyle (1-1, 2.82 ERA). The Dodgers will need more than just solid pitching—they’ll need to rediscover their offensive rhythm if they hope to avoid a series loss.