TAMPA — As wins go, it was less dramatic than most.
One double, one stolen base, one short sacrifice fly.
And one more win for the Rays on Sunday, this time 3-2 against the Marlins.
Yandy Diaz, who hit a two-run homer to tie the game in the fifth, drove a one-out double to leftfield with the game tied 2-2 in the eighth. Jose Caballero came in to run for Diaz and promptly stole third base.
Brandon Lowe fell behind Valente Bellozo 1-2 but managed to lift a short fly ball to centerfield. Caballero tagged up and scored easily when Dane Myers’ throw home went up the first-base line.
After losing two of three against the Marlins in Miami a couple of weeks ago, the Rays finish the season 3-3 against their cross-state rival. It’s the first time since 2018 the Rays have not won the Citrus Series outright.
You know you’re going well as a pitcher when you give up no extra-base hits and two runs in six innings, and it feels like a letdown.
Drew Rasmussen had not allowed a run since May 11 and was only five outs away from breaking Alex Cobb’s franchise record for scoreless innings (24 ⅔) when he had a couple of unfortunate breaks in the first inning.
Junior Caminero was playing in on the grass in case of a bunt from Xavier Edwards, and the Marlins leadoff hitter ended up bouncing a grounder over the third baseman’s head.
Jesus Sanchez followed with a potential double-play grounder, but the ball’s placement turned out to be problematic. Playing in a shift, shortstop Taylor Walls fielded the ball on the right side of the infield and was unable to tag Edwards before throwing to first for one out. With Caminero racing over to cover second, there was no one at third base and Edwards advanced without a throw.
Otto Lopez then lined a single to center to break Rasmussen’s scoreless streak.
The Marlins had another opportunistic rally in the fifth. After a leadoff single by Heriberto Hernandez, Rasmussen got two quick outs. But after a wild pitch allowed Hernandez to advance to second, Jesus Sanchez knocked him in with a single to center.
The Marlins had a planned bullpen day on Sunday, and the Rays struggled to break through against the early parade of relievers. Through 18 plate appearances, the Rays had three hits and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
The Rays finally woke up from their slumber in the fifth when Walls drew a one-out walk and Diaz went opposite field for his ninth homer of the season to tie the game 2-2.
Monday: at Red Sox
7:10, Fenway Park, Boston
Pitchers: Rays — RH Shane Baz (5-3, 4.96); Red Sox — RH Brayan Bello (2-1, 3.91)
TV/radio: FanDuel Sports Sun; 95.3-FM, 620-AM, 106.7-FM (Spanish)
Info: raysbaseball.com
On deck
Tuesday: at Red Sox, 7:10. Rays, RH Ryan Pepiot (3-5. 3.20); Red Sox, Rh Lucas Giolito (1-1, 6.42)
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Wednesday: at Red Sox, 7:10. Rays, RH Zack Littell (6-5, 3.68); Red Sox, Walker Buehler (4-4, 5.18)
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, 2.22); Mets, TBA
Sunday: at Mets, 1:40. Rays, RH Shane Baz (5-3, 4.96); Mets, TBA