Rays rally back but is not enough - Rays 3, Padres 4

Rookie of the year candidate Jackson Merrill makes a statement as Padres take 2 out of 3

In the series finale, the Rays were unable to replicate what was done offensively during last night’s game. The Rays scored 11 runs for the first time since July 25th, when they scored 13 against the Blue Jays in Roger Center.

On the mound, we had an exciting pitching matchup for ourselves. Ryan Pepiot coming off back-to-back quality starts, and the red-hot Dylan Cease. Both starting pitchers dominated the first three innings. Cease and Pepiot consistently pounded the zone with fastballs, and both had pleasant results. The Padres were able to get a couple of men on base, but Pepiot’s exceptional command helped put the fire away.

In the bottom of the third inning, Ben Rortvedt smacked a ball to the right-center gap, but Jackson Merrill got airborne and robbed it, which appeared to be an easy double for Ben. Merrill got a fantastic jump and an even better dive—very impressive play from the rookie.

Xander Bogarts hit a leadoff single to start the 4th inning just before Merrill quickly turned around a 95 MPH fastball to straightaway center field; Padres lead 2-0.

After the homer run, the Padres followed with a single and walk. With two men on base and no outs, Kevin Cash walked up to the mound to end Pepiot’s outing. Right off the gate, Ryan looked dominant; he had a high pitch count since the first inning. Nevertheless, he was getting the job done.

Pepiot final line: 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K.

The Rays had their first threat at the bottom of the fourth, thanks to a Diaz walk and a Junior Caminero single to the right field. However, the danger ended when Dylan Carlson blasted a 104 MPH line drive to the center field that Jackson Merrill caught.

Through 5 innings, Dylan Cease was cruising through the Rays lineup. However, he had some command issues at the bottom of the 6th, which led to a base load and no-outs situation for the Rays.

Ex-Ray Jason Adam was called up to try and save the day, but he did not succeed at first. As Adam immediately hit Caminero with a change-up that totally got away. Through the hit by pitch, the Rays got back on the board. The next batter up, Josh Lowe, hit a ground ball that would end up as a double play. However, Diaz was able to cross the plate, Padres lead 3-2. When it seemed like the Rays were done scoring, Jason Adam threw a wild change-up in the dirt, allowing Brandon Lowe to score and tie the game at three.

Everything was tied up into the ninth, but a sacrifice fly from Xander Bogarts put the Padres on top. That would be the winning run as the Padres win 4-3 and get their second series win.

The Rays are welcoming the Minnesota Twins to town next. The first pitch is set at 6:40 ET, with Zack Littell pitching for the Rays and Simeon Woods Richardson pitching for the Twins.