TAMPA, Fla. – A three-game win streak typically would not attract much attention, especially within a 31-game sample size. Yet, that represents the Rays’ longest win streak at Steinbrenner Field, where they are 13-18. They have a chance to match their modest run from the season-opening homestand when they begin a weekend series against the Blue Jays on Friday night.
After losing the first of three to the Astros on Monday night, the Rays walked off Tuesday and outslugged Houston on Wednesday to take the series. Following an off day, they head into Friday evening (7:05) with an opportunity to match their longest home win streak of March 30 to April 1 against Colorado and Pittsburgh.
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Drew Rasmussen (2-4, 2.93 ERA) will be opposed by lefty Eric Lauer (1-0, 2.25). Saturday (7:05) will have Shane Baz (3-3, 5.33) against Jose Berrios (1-1, 4.19), and Sunday (1:40) will be Ryan Pepiot (2-5, 3.99) versus Chris Bassitt (4-2, 2.83).
Josh Lowe, who returned to the lineup May 15 at Toronto after being removed Opening Day with a right oblique strain that cost him six weeks, hit one of the Rays’ four homers in Wednesday afternoon’s 8-4 win over the Astros. Lowe batted second ahead of Brandon Lowe, who also homered. The latter leads the team with eight homers, and his 25 RBI are second to Yandy Diaz (27).
“It’s a different lineup,” said manager Kevin Cash, of having a healthy Josh Lowe and a potentially potent 1-2 lefty-swinging power combo with Brandon Lowe. “Josh has a presence in our lineup that certainly helps. We want, need, and are confident both of them are going to play big roles in getting us going offensively.”
Longo To Enter Rays’ HOF
Evan Longoria will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 7, before a game versus the Marlins. Longoria, who will sign a one-day contract and officially retire as a Tampa Bay Ray, is the franchise’s all-time leader in games (1,435), home runs (261), and RBI (892), among other categories.
“From the moment he stepped on the field, he brought excellence, leadershi,p and a competitive spirit that shaped the identity of this franchise,” said Rays owner Stuart Sternberg. “He, more than anyone, helped transform the Devil Rays into the Rays, and we are honored to welcome him home as he retires in the uniform where it all began.”
Longoria was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2008 when the Rays went to their first World Series. He spent 10 seasons with the team and was a three-time all-star.
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