The Tigers/Rays series headed into its final game, and while it currently feels like every game is “must win” in this playoff hunt, the Tigers certainly had the Rays in a chokehold to start the series, so it was unsurprising to see Tampa Bay get a little fired up for the getaway game.
Tyler Alexander was on the mound for the Rays, a name Tigers fans might be familiar with. Meanwhile, the Tigers called on a battery of recovering pitchers, with Reese Olson getting the initial nod, before turning things over to Casey Mize.
The first inning was 1-2-3 for the Rays, and likewise 1-2-3 for the Tigers.
The second went much the same. This was poised to be another speedy affair like Tuesday’s afternoon outing which clocked in under two hours.
In the third, Ben Rortvedt got a one-out single, then Taylor Walls singled right behind him. With two outs, Brandon Lowe singled to drive in two runs. In the home half, the Tigers settled for a Parker Meadows double, but no runs scored.
In the fourth, Dylan Carlson singled, but the Rays weren’t able to add any runs. The Tigers also had a solo baserunner in Matt Vierling, but weren’t able to get him home.
Reese Olson was done after four innings, going 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K on 72 pitches. Casey Mize came in to replace him. Mize gave up a one-out triple to Taylor Walls, who then scored on a wild pitch. Brandon Lowe singled, but Mize was able to get back under control to finish the inning. In the bottom of the fifth Trey Sweeney got a one-out single, and Parker Meadows got a two-out single, but they were left on base.
Jonathan Aranda doubled to start the sixth, but the Rays were unable to bring him home. The day was over for Tyler Alexander after five, and Hunter Bigge came on to replace him. Matt Vierling got a two-out walk, then Colt Keith tripled to bring him home.
A pinch-hitting Kerry Carpenter then came on to single and drive Keith home, putting the Tigers within one.
Beau Brieske was out of the Tigers’ pen for the seventh and got three outs in a row. In the bottom of the inning the Tigers also went down in order against Kevin Kelly.
The Rays went down 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth. In the home half, Garrett Cleavinger was next out of the pen. In the home half Riley Greene got a one-out single, then stole second. Matt Vierling then drew a walk. Colt Keith then singled to score Greene and tie the game.
Then a pinch-hitting Justyn-Henry Malloy hit a sac fly to score Vierling to give the Tigers the lead.
Jason Foley was in for the top of the ninth, hoping to maintain the lead and take the Tigers to a win, and that he did, as the Tigers clawed their way back to victory and one step closer to the postseason.
Final: Tigers 4, Rays 3