PHOENIX — After rallying for three runs in the ninth inning Wednesday for a dramatic comeback win, the Rays said they hoped it was the spark they needed to get back on a roll after a couple of rough weeks.
The initial evidence was good.
The Rays grabbed an early lead in Thursday’s matinee and rolled to a 6-1 win over the Diamondbacks.
It marked their first back-to-back victories since June 15-16 and their first series win after splitting or losing the previous four. It also ended a season-high run of four consecutive games with four or fewer runs.
In doing so, the Rays improved their majors’ best record to 56-28 and further pushed past the stretch of six losses in nine games and eight of 14.
Luke Raley got them off to a good start with a first-inning homer, and they broke the game open with a five-run third.
A Vidal Brujan double and Yandy Diaz walk got them started, and Wander Franco delivered the first big hit, a two-run triple. Raley was hit by a pitch, and then Harold Ramirez delivered a run-scoring single. After Isaac Paredes walked, Josh Lowe — who delivered the decisive runs with two outs in the ninth Wednesday — laced a two-run single to make it 6-0.
After two solid innings from opener Zack Littell, Yonny Chirinos rebounded nicely from his previous outing to deliver six-plus strong innings, leaving after allowing a walk and a single to Evan Longoria to open the ninth.
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Chirinos allowed just the one run, on a Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homer. He scattered seven hits and walked three batters, while striking out four.
He also provided some levity, slipping on the mound while delivering strike three to Alek Thomas to end the fifth.
The Rays left after the game for Seattle, where they open a weekend series on Friday.
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Source: Yahoo Sports
