George Harris
Apr 07, 2024 - 08:25

Yandy Diaz sparks late rally as Rays beat Rockies 8-6 for first road win

Tampa Bay Rays rally to beat Colorado Rockies 8-6 with a five-run eighth inning, overcoming home runs and blustery conditions.

The Tampa Bay Rays pulled off a stunning comeback against the Colorado Rockies on a blustery Saturday night in Denver. Yandy Díaz's go-ahead two-run single highlighted a five-run eighth inning, propelling the Rays to an 8-6 victory. Despite home runs from Ryan McMahon, Michael Toglia, and Brenton Doyle, the Rays managed to secure their first road win of the season.

Rockies starter Ryan Feltner delivered an impressive performance, striking out a career-high 10 batters in six innings. However, the Rays mounted a late rally against the Rockies' bullpen, with key hits from Ben Rortvedt, Isaac Paredes, and Amed Rosario. The game was played under challenging conditions, with winds gusting up to 33 mph, making it difficult for both hitters and pitchers to find their rhythm.

The Rays' resilience and determination were on full display as they battled back from a 6-1 deficit to secure the win. Manager Kevin Cash praised his team's tenacity and ability to bounce back after a tough loss the previous day. Despite the cold weather and swirling winds, the Rays' offense came alive in the eighth inning, scoring all eight runs with two outs.

Players on both teams had to contend with the adverse weather conditions, with hot dog wrappers swirling around the field and flyballs drifting unpredictably. The temperature at first pitch was a chilly 46 degrees, adding to the challenge for the players. Garrett Cleavinger picked up the win in relief, while Colin Pouche notched his first save of the season.

Rockies manager Bud Black acknowledged the disappointment of the loss but expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back. Kris Bryant was held out of the lineup due to lower back tightness, but Black remained optimistic about his return for the next game.

Looking ahead, the Rays will send RHP Ryan Pepiot to the mound for the series finale, while the Rockies will counter with RHP Dakota Hudson. Both teams will be looking to regroup and come back strong in the next game. Despite the challenging conditions and tough loss, both teams showed resilience and determination in a hard-fought battle on the diamond.