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Rays Aim to Ride Momentum of Walk-off HR into Rematch vs. Cubs
The Tampa Bay Rays are eager to build on a thrilling victory to turn their struggling season around. Brandon Lowe’s dramatic walk-off, three-run homer against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night has breathed new life into the Rays. As they prepare to host the Cubs again on Wednesday evening in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Rays aim to continue this positive momentum.
A Season-Changing Hit
With two outs and a tie game in the ninth inning, Lowe’s homer converted a potential fifth consecutive loss into a 5-2 victory. This win broke a four-game losing streak, providing a crucial boost for the American League East’s last-place team. Before Lowe’s game-winning hit, the Rays had only managed five hits, mirroring their recent offensive struggles against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Struggle Before the Triumph
The Rays’ offensive woes were evident as they accumulated just five hits on Monday in a 5-2 loss to the Orioles. This poor performance followed a similar pattern in a 9-2 defeat and a 5-0 shutout earlier against Baltimore. However, in Tuesday’s game against the Cubs, the Rays staged a comeback. Richie Palacios doubled, Ben Rortvedt walked, and Jose Caballero hit a tying single, setting the stage for Lowe’s heroics.
Lowe’s Determination
Facing Chicago closer Hector Neris, Lowe refused to strike out. After seeing four consecutive splitters and fouling off two, he blasted the fifth pitch—a flat splitter—387 feet into the right-center stands. This walk-off homer, Lowe’s third, was enough to lift the Rays and snap their losing streak.
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Reactions to the Win
Lowe expressed relief and determination following the win, emphasizing the team’s resolve to turn the season around after a tough series against the Orioles. “Losing four against Baltimore really left a sour taste in everybody’s mouth,” Lowe said. “We told everyone that was a turning point and we’d start playing better. I’m glad to not be a liar just yet.”
Pitching Matchup: Civale vs. Assad
For the next game, the Rays will rely on right-hander Aaron Civale, who has struggled this season with a 2-5 record and a career-worst 5.51 ERA. However, Civale has a history of success against the Cubs, boasting a 1.62 ERA in three starts without a decision.
On the Cubs’ side, right-hander Javier Assad will take the mound. Assad, with a 4-2 record and a 2.74 ERA, is looking to rebound from a challenging outing against the Cincinnati Reds, where he allowed five runs on seven hits. Despite his recent struggles, Assad has shown potential, striking out 22 and walking eight in his last three starts.
Cubs’ Perspective
The Cubs, who have fallen to 1-4 on their seven-game trip, are looking to bounce back. Manager Craig Counsell highlighted the need for more offensive production, as two runs are typically insufficient for victory. “Look, we had a bunch of singles today,” Counsell said. “And we had some balls hit well to the wall and not enough. But two runs? You’re not going to win most nights scoring two runs.”
Conclusion
As the Rays host the Cubs in the second game of the series, both teams have clear objectives. The Rays aim to harness the energy from their walk-off win to initiate a season turnaround, while the Cubs seek to improve their performance and end their road trip on a positive note. The pitching duel between Civale and Assad will be crucial, and both teams will need their offenses to step up to secure a win.
