Tampa Bay Rays Improve Hitting with Runners in Scoring Position Against Rockies

The Tampa Bay Rays took the final two games at Coors Field after dropping the first. The Rays won their first series of the season and in the process move to 5-5 on the season.

A big key to their series win was the improvement in hitting with runners in scoring position that helped them to the two wins they got.

Between the two wins on Saturday and Sunday, the Rays went a combined 7-18 (.389) with runners in scoring position. This was especially crucial in the Saturday 8-6 win in which Tampa Bay made a big comeback down 6-1 heading into the 7th inning. Some big players with RISP hitting included catcher Ben Rortvedt who knocked in two runners and first baseman Yandy Diaz who knocked in two runners to ultimately lead the path to victory.

The second game was more of a pitching duel as the Rays got all of their runs in the second and third inning. Austin Shenton had a big day with 2 hits which were the first of hie Major League Baseball career. One was an RBI double that opened the scoring on Sunday in Tampa Bay's 3-2 win.

Center fielder Jose Siri then drove in Shenton in from second for another hit with RISP. Isaac Paredes was also able to get a RBI single in to make it a 3-0 game. The Rockies mounted a slight comeback to bring the game to within a run,

The Rays' bullpen earned a lot of credit for being able too hold off the onslaught to cap off the series win.

Tampa Bay now sits 13th in the MLB in RBI per game after a successful weekend in situational hitting. Offensive success will be needed going forward as it may need to compensate for the injuries in the starting rotation.

The Rays continue a western road trip in Anahiem this week against the Los Angeles Angels. First pitch for game one will be on Monday at 9:38 p.m. E.T. with Angels' southpaw Tyler Anderson matching up against the Rays Zach Eflin.