The Tampa Bay Rays (68-69) defeated the Seattle Mariners (73-65) 10-2 on Monday night at Steinbrenner Field to win the first game of a two-team, seven-game homestand.
The Rays offense got started in the second inning when Nick Fortes hit a three-run homer to give the Rays an early lead. Tampa Bay added two in the third three in the seventh and two more in the eighth to turn the game into a blow out.
Shane Baz (9-11, 4.98) set the tone for the pitching staff, pitching six shutout innings in which he allowed five hits while striking out six and walking two. The Rays did not allow a run until the Mariners got a two-run homer off Brian Van Belle in the ninth inning.
The Rays will now look to win the three-game series against the Mariners when they meet in the second game of a three-game series beginning on Tuesday night. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 7:35 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES