Given the Rays’ offensive inconsistencies, supervisor Kevin Money wasn’t shy about making a giant ask.
Speaking earlier than Thursday’s recreation in Toronto, Money mentioned the Rays had been hoping Josh Lowe might return from the injured listing swinging the recent bat he had in spring coaching and supply a wanted spark to the lineup.
Lowe did simply that, with a leadoff single that led to a two-run first inning and a solo homer on a three-hit day, because the Rays beat the Blue Jays, 8-3.
The win, which was the Rays’ ninth of their final 11 highway video games and improved them to 20-23 total, was very a lot a group effort.
Starter Zack Littell labored impressively into the eighth inning. Brandon Lowe homered twice with Josh Lowe on base, and rookie Kameron Misner additionally went deep. Jose Caballero twice bought hits and got here round to attain. The infielders turned three inning-ending double performs, and Misner made a pair key catches in middle. Reliever Manny Rodriguez bought them by a tricky Toronto risk within the eighth.
“We would have liked a win (Thursday). The fellows got here out towards an excellent pitcher in (Kevin) Gausman, J-Lowe and B-Lowe sort of bought it began after which lots of people actually contributed,” Money informed reporters at Rogers Centre.
“Josh, having him again was big for us. It looks like B-Lowe (7 for 13 within the sequence) and Danny Jansen (4 for 11) are beginning to development in the appropriate course. Misner picked up a house run; it had been some time, however some nice defensive performs by him as effectively.”
Money is hoping the Rays can construct some much-needed momentum as they head to Miami for a weekend sequence with the 16-26 Marlins.
“You add Yandy (Diaz, who missed the Toronto sequence as a consequence of a passport renewal concern) again in there (Friday), and that’s sort of what we hope and dream on a bit bit,” Money mentioned.
“These guys are proficient. I do know it’s been a bit little bit of a grind right here to start out the season, however ultimately we’ve bought to show some issues round, and hopefully (Thursday) was a step in that course.”
Josh Lowe mentioned he simply completely happy to assist the group.
“It feels nice to be again,” he informed FanDuel Sports activities Solar in an onfield interview. “So grateful to be standing right here proper now on this scenario. Throughout the entire rehab course of, (I used to be) grateful for the rehab group to assist me get again right here, and simply grateful for God’s grace to maintain me grounded throughout that point and to simply be the place my toes are after which let every thing occur.”
Lowe, activated a day sooner than deliberate after Travis Jankowski strained his groin Wednesday evening, singled on the fifth pitch of the afternoon by Jays starter Kevin Gausman.
Brandon Lowe, who mentioned he switched again to his outdated bat on the finish of the homestand after six weeks of little success with a brand new one, then knocked the following pitch over the right-center-field fence for a 2-0 lead, the season-high fourth straight recreation the Rays scored first.
The Rays added a run within the third with some small ball as Caballero singled, went to second on Taylor Partitions’ bunt single, stole third on the entrance finish of a double steal and scored on ex-Jay Jansen’s single.
Littell didn’t make many errors, however gave up solo homers within the second to Addison Barger, within the third to Vlad Guerrero and within the eighth to Nathan Lukes.
The Rays did one thing they haven’t performed typically, tacking on extra runs for Littell, who got here into the sport with the bottom run help because the begin of 2024. They scored in 5 of the primary six innings.
Misner opened the fourth with a homer, his fourth of the season, however first in additional than a month. Lowe homered within the fifth to increase the result in 5-2. Caballero doubled with one out within the sixth and scored on Chandler Simpson’s single. Josh Lowe singled with one out within the ninth, and Brandon Lowe homered once more.
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