The third inning was absolutely dynamite for the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night. In a 16-1 romp of the Boston Red Sox, the Rays erupted for 9 runs, over 27 minutes in the third, solidifying their win early. The Rays have been dealing with a bunch, but it certainly looks like they are starting to call Steinbrenner Field home.
The Third Inning
This was the 10th time the Rays have scored 16 runs or more in a game. It was also the second time all nine starters had both a run and an RBI. The 16-1 win is tied for the largest margin in franchise history. While the Rays were already giving Red Sox starter Tanner Houck the business, up 5-0 by the end of the second inning. They had their biggest moment, 27 minutes of a moment, in the third.
It all started with three ground ball singles from Jonathan Aranda, Christopher Morel, and Kameron Misner. Taylor Walls grounded into a fielder’s choice, starting the scoring. The Rays got lucky with Alex Bregman not being able to handle a hot shot to him at third, allowing Danny Jansen to reach safe and score another run. Houck then proceeded to throw a wild pitch, setting up runners on the corners.
A single up the middle from Jake Mangum scored another run. He steals second. Yandy Díaz continued the barrage with another RBI single. Brandon Lowe proceeded to walk and load the bases. The Red Sox pulled Houck and Michael Fulmer tried to put out the fire. It was now 9-1.
Fulmer doesn’t fare much better as yet another RBI single comes, this time from Junior Caminero, and the bases stay loaded. Aranda broke it wide open with a 2-RBI ground-rule double to center, opening up the score to 12-1. But it wasn’t over. Morel decided to provide the dagger with a 2-run double of his own. By the time the inning ended, it was 14-1. No team has scored more runs in one inning in the Majors this season. Nine runs on eight hits over a total of 52 pitches, for over 27 minutes.
Team Outlook
Amidst rumors/demands that Owner Stuart Sternberg sell the team, fighting with the city of Tampa over a new stadium deal, and losing their home ballpark to Hurricane Milton, the Rays are breaking even. Currently sitting in third place at 8-8, and only 1 game behind the 1st place, 9-7, New York Yankees, they seem to be pressing all the right buttons.
