Game 96: Kevin Kiermaier, Rays Put on Offensive Show in 10-3 Win

The Tampa Bay Rays used an explosive sixth inning to break through a then tied game, and Jake Odorizzi did enough in an unscheduled start to keep the Toronto Blue Jays bats at bay, as the Rays took the second of three games against their divisional rivals 10-3.

While All Star David Price was scheduled to start today, he was scratched after the game last night ended due to illness, and taking his spot was Odorizzi, who pitched well despite allowing six hits, but he only allowed two earned runs (three total) and struck out seven in his 6.2 innings.

For the second consecutive game, the Rays drew first blood, and also for the second consecutive game, it was in the form of a sacrifice fly, only this time, it was Matt Joyce who flew out to drive in Kevin Kiermaier. But, the Blue Jays would answer right back in the next half inning, and would briefly take a lead in the fourth, before the Rays tied things up at 2 in the bottom half of the same frame.

It remained a tie game until the bottom of the sixth, when the Rays offense would explode for six runs, with the eventual game winning hit coming off the bat of Kiermaier, which brought home Yunel Escobar and Brandon Guyer to make it a 5-3 game. The Rays would go onto put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the seventh to finish off the 10-3 final score.

Everyone in the starting line up but Evan Longoria and Sean Rodriguez recorded hits today for the Rays, with four guys having multi-hit games. It was the Kevin Kiermaier show, as he had the best offensive line of the night, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored on his own accord.

As of now, Price is penciled in to start the first half finale tomorrow against Toronto’s R.A. Dickey, which would most likely put him out of the opportunity to pitch in Minnesota on Tuesday. First pitch for tomorrow’s contest is slated for 1:40.