Rays snap 5-game losing streak in grand fashion

Heading into their eleventh game of the season, the Rays desperately needed a victory. They started with a slightly below average 4-6 record, but had lost five straight contests. However, the gritty club still held a +5 run differential against opposing teams, so the losses were all part of close games. Regardless, Tampa Bay needed to join the win column again before they fell too far behind in the division race. "Swiss Army knife", Jose Caballero made sure of this fate.

Rays Opening Day starter Ryan Pepiot toed the rubber yesterday against Yusei Kikuchi of the Los Angeles Angels. Both hurlers threw respectable games as they combined to give up only seven runs. Tampa Bay got to Kikuchi early on though when Caballero smoked a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the first inning. The opposite field blast carried 327 feet over the short porch in right field. Nonetheless, it gave the Rays an early lead which they would keep for the remainder of the game.

The Angels didn't go down without a fight however. They scored three runs off of Pepiot on three solo home runs from Kyren Paris, Taylor Ward, and Jorge Soler. After a back-and-forth affair the night before, Rays fans were holding their breath for the results of this one.

A struggling Yandy Diaz hit his first home run of 2025 in the seventh inning to extend the Rays lead to two runs. The normally reliable infielder has primarily been slotted in a DH role this season and his offensive numbers have slumped significantly. Yesterday, Kevin Cash decided to play the former batting champion at his regular position of first base and it paid dividends for him at the plate. Diaz went 2-for-4 with a single and that clutch homer.

The righty-heavy Rays lineup managed to produce seven hits as Diaz, Mead, Morel, Caballero, and new addition Coco Montes recorded at least one knock. Hopefully, this is a trend in the right direction as the Rays take on the Angels for the rubber match of this three-game set. Littell will take on Soriano to decide this series.