Playing at home this season has been torturous for the Tampa Bay Rays, but they were able to turn the tables against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.
Taylor Walls coaxed a bases-loaded walk that proved to be the difference in a 4-3 win over the Brewers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Tampa Bay had lost seven in a row (11 of their last 12) at their makeshift home for the 2025 MLB season.
They can now put that behind them and look to potentially build a win streak. The Rays got some solid starting pitching as Zack Littell kept Milwaukee hitters pretty much in check for six innings. Brandon Lowe also connected for a home run in the win.
Yet Tampa Bay's bullpen could not seal the deal, letting the Brewers get back into the game, according to MLB.com.
Tampa Bay also had some fortunate luck go their way. In a tie game in the sixth inning, the Rays had runners at first and third base. Junior Caminero attempted to steal second base off Milwaukee reliever Nick Mears. Brewers catcher William Contreras threw down to second, but Caminero started moving back toward first base.
Christopher Morel, who was on third base, was waved toward home plate by Caminero. Morel, though, headed back to third. Brewers second baseman Brice Turang threw to third and it looked like Caleb Durbin tagged Morel for what was the final out of the sixth inning.
Third-base umpire James Hoye, though, said that Durbin obstructed Morel in getting back to third. Morel was then awarded home plate and scored a go-ahead run. Brewers manager Pat Murphy came out to argue the call, just hours after going through a similar situation in a Thursday night game. He wasn't pleased with the call, eventually getting tossed for arguing the call.
Hey, Tampa Bay was looking for any type of good luck that could go their way in a home game. It happened on Friday night and the Rays were happy with the result. Eric Orze picked up his second career save as Tampa Bay will look to make it two in a row at home on Saturday.
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