ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays capitalized on the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen struggles to score twice in the eighth inning, securing a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 win on Sunday. The game, played at Tropicana Field, saw the Rays take advantage of critical errors and timely hitting to turn the tide in their favor. The crowd, energized by the team's resilience, watched as the Rays managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Reds had taken an early lead in the second inning when catcher Austin Wynns hit an RBI single that scored Stuart Fairchild. Fairchild had reached base on one of the Rays' three errors. However, Wynns got caught trying to extend the single into a double, and Santiago Espinal was thrown out at home to end the inning, preventing further damage. The Rays' defense, despite the errors, managed to limit the Reds to just that single run.

The game featured a stellar performance by Reds starter Hunter Greene, who dominated the Rays' lineup. Greene pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up just two hits. He had a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings before Brandon Lowe broke it with a single to right field. Greene struck out five, walked one, and hit two batters. His command and velocity kept the Rays off-balance, but ultimately, his efforts were not enough to secure a win. Greene expressed his frustration after the game, saying, "Tough loss, but I’ve got to keep just going out there and doing my job. Hopefully, we’re able to get some more momentum going back home."

The turning point came in the eighth inning when the Rays loaded the bases against Reds reliever Fernando Cruz. Yandy Diaz started the rally with a walk. Brandon Lowe followed with an infield single, and Isaac Paredes also drew a walk, loading the bases with two outs. Cruz managed to strike out Amed Rosario, but catcher Austin Wynns could not handle the pitch, allowing pinch runner Jose Caballero to score and tie the game at 1-1. The mistake was a costly one, changing the momentum of the game.

Lucas Sims then replaced Cruz on the mound. Sims faced Richie Palacios, who worked a walk, forcing in Brandon Lowe to give the Rays a 2-1 lead. Rays manager Kevin Cash praised his team's resilience and the crucial at-bats in the eighth inning. "Good at-bat by Yandy. Great job by (Caballero) putting pressure on him," Cash said. "Cruz is nasty, tough to lay off some of those, but when you’re nasty sometimes you’ve got to go out of the zone significantly. Great at-bat by Richie as well." The sequence highlighted the Rays' patience and ability to capitalize on the Reds' mistakes.

Pitcher Garrett Cleavinger, who improved to 7-2 on the season, pitched a scoreless eighth inning, setting the stage for Pete Fairbanks to earn his 20th save of the season. Fairbanks successfully closed out the game, securing the win for the Rays. His performance under pressure demonstrated his value as a reliable closer for the team.

Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz had an impressive game despite the loss. He recorded three hits and four stolen bases, bringing his season total to 55. De La Cruz also reached base on an error in the eighth inning and made a spectacular sliding catch in short left field to rob Rays shortstop Taylor Walls of a hit in the sixth inning. "That was fantastic, it definitely gave me an extra boost," Greene said. "It’s pretty fantastic when he makes plays like that. It’s not the first time he’s done it." De La Cruz's athleticism and defensive prowess were on full display, though they ultimately were not enough to secure a win for the Reds.

Trade News

Prior to the game, the Rays announced a trade, sending reliever Jason Adam to the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-hander Dylan Lesko, outfielder Homer Bush Jr., and catcher J.D. Gonzalez. Rays president Erik Neander expressed mixed emotions about the trade. "This was an extremely tough morning saying goodbye to Jason, who has meant so much to our organization on and off the field," Neander said. "But we are excited to see these three guys we obtained from San Diego grow in our system." The trade aims to bolster the Rays' farm system while addressing long-term needs.

Trainer’s Room

The Rays received positive news on the injury front, as left-hander Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and is expected to start Tuesday against the Miami Marlins. Additionally, right-hander Drew Rasmussen (right flexor strain) pitched two scoreless innings in Triple-A Durham on Saturday and could return to the Rays as a reliever in August. These updates provide a boost to the Rays' pitching depth as they approach the final stretch of the season.

Up Next

The Reds will send right-hander Carson Spiers (3-2, 3.83 ERA) to the mound against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Meanwhile, the Rays will see Jeffrey Springs make his season debut against the Marlins on Tuesday. The upcoming games are crucial for both teams as they aim to solidify their positions in their respective divisions.

The Rays' ability to capitalize on their opportunities and the Reds' bullpen woes resulted in a thrilling comeback victory, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of baseball. Fans will be eager to see how both teams respond in their upcoming games. The victory not only adds to the Rays' momentum but also highlights their resilience and strategic play, qualities that will be essential as they continue their pursuit of postseason success.