TAMPA — A celebratory day ended in disappointment for the Rays with an 11-10 loss in 10 innings to the Marlins.
Heriberto Hernandez, one of several former Rays minor-leaguers on the Miami roster, singled off Garrett Cleavinger to score Otto Lopez, who was the runner positioned at second, to put Miami ahead.
The Rays had a chance to tie in the bottom of the inning, but Kameron Misner was thrown out at home when second baseman Xavier Edwards, another ex-Rays minor-leaguer, made a nifty grab of Jose Caballero’s grounder and a strong throw.
The game was somewhat back and forth, with the Rays taking and losing a 4-0 lead, going up 6-4, falling behind 10-6, then getting even with three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh. They hit five home runs on the day, including two by Christopher Morel.
The Rays dropped to 34-30, snapping a four-game winning streak and missing a chance to lock down a sixth straight unbeaten series. They will play a third and deciding game against the Marlins Sunday at 12:10 p.m.
Prior to the game, the team celebrated Evan Longoria, considered the best player in franchise history, who signed a ceremonial one-day contract and retired as a Ray.
The Rays took a 4-0 lead in the second, the fifth straight game in which they scored first.
Morel had the big blow, with a three-run homer. Doubles by Danny Jansen and Taylor Walls got them another.
The Marlins answered right back with four in the third, thanks to two former Rays minor-leaguers. Edwards doubled in one run, and Jesus Sanchez hit a three-run homer.
The Rays went back up 6-4 when Danny Jansen hit a two-run homer in the fourth.
But the Marlins roared back in the fifth and seemed to break the game open with a six-run outburst that ended Taj Bradley’s afternoon and also roughed up reliever Mason Montgomery.
Edwards knocked in the first run, Sanchez two, Liam Hicks two and Dane Myers the last one as Miami sent 10 men to the plate.
Down 10-6 on a sweltering afternoon, the Rays rallied back in the sixth. Morel hit a one-out solo homer for his second career multi-homer game, Jansen rapped his third hit and Taylor Walls followed with a two-run homer.
Brandon Lowe opened the seventh with a solo homer, his 13th of the season, to make it 10-10.
Quote of the day
“Growing up, when you think of the Rays, I think you think of Evan Longoria, and the two-arms-up home run (to win Game 162 in 2011), obviously. He was the guy.”
— Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks
Sunday: vs. Marlins
12:10, Steinbrenner Field
Pitchers: Rays — RH Drew Rasmussen (5-4, 2.14); Marlins — TBA
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Sun; 95.3-FM, 620-AM, 106.7-FM (Spanish)
Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene
Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter
We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Promotion: Cooling towel
Info: raysbaseball.com
On deck
Monday: at Red Sox, 7:10. Rays. RH Shane Baz (5-3, 4.96); Red Sox, TBA
Tuesday: at Red Sox, 7:10. Rays, RH Ryan Pepiot (3-5. 3.20); Red Sox, TBA
Wednesday: at Red Sox, 7:10. Rays, RH Zack Littell (6-5, 3.68); Red Sox, TBA
Thursday: Off
Friday: at Mets, 7:10. Rays, RH Taj Bradley (4-5, 4.58); Mets, TBA
Saturday: at Mets, 4:10. Rays, RH Drew Rasmussen (5-4, 2.14); Mets, TBA
Sunday: at Mets, 1:40. Rays, RH Shane Baz (5-3, 4.96); Mets, TBA