The Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) defeated the Colorado Rockies (1-2) 6-4 on Sunday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field. The Rays secured a win in the three-game series, the first ever regular season series the Rays have played in Tampa.
Brandon Lowe got the scoring started with a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Rays a 2-0 lead. Colorado tied the game with single runs in the fifth and sixth before the Rays erupted in the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Junior Caminero hit a RBI single to break the tie to make it 3-2. Moments later Jose Caballero hit a RBI singile on a soft bunt that allowed Taylor Walls and Junior Caminero to both score - Caballero got all the way to second on a throwing error by Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings.
Later in the sixth Ben Rortvedt reached on a fielder's choice that allowed the Rays to take a 6-2 lead. The Rockies got two runs back in the seventh to pull within 6-4, but that was as close as Colorado would get.
Taj Braldey (1-0, 3.00) got the start and pitched six innings in which he allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking none. Pete Fairbanks earned his first save of the season allowing two hits in the ninth inning but keeping the Rockies from scoring, hanging on to a 6-4 win.
The Rays now host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game homestand beginning on Monday. Drew Rasmussen is scheduled to make his season debut for the Rays, as his Carmen Miodzinski for the Pirates. First pitch Monday is scheduled for 7:05 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES