The Tampa Bay Rays had a much-needed reason to celebrate this Wednesday, amidst an otherwise challenging week. The team’s spirits were lifted by a series of impressive performances from their players during their 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
Brandon Lowe made history by becoming the fastest primary second baseman in major-league history to hit his 100th career home run. Josh Lowe also shone, delivering on his pre-game promise to assistant hitting coach Dan DeMent that he would hit a home run. Aaron Civale celebrated his first win with the Rays since being traded from Cleveland on July 31st, pitching six shutout innings. Colin Poche helped get the team out of a late jam as reliever.
However, it was Luke Raley who stole the show with an extraordinary pinch-hit inside-the-park home run – one that defied physics and description alike. The ball traveled 425 feet before hitting Oracle Park’s high brick wall in right-centerfield and then bouncing along the top of the centerfield fence before finally rolling towards left field.
Raley’s teammates praised him for his constant hustle and teased him for his admittedly awkward running style when he returned to dugout after making what was deemed as “one of the coolest homers” by Brandon Lowe.
The game also saw Brandon Lowe become one of only seven players to have hit 100 homers for the Rays – an achievement he described as “a pretty cool accomplishment”.
Despite recent setbacks including injuries and player restrictions, this win improved their overall standing to 73-50 and they remain focused on baseball moving forward into their weekend series in Anaheim.