A Grand Slam as Rays Show Resilience and Hang On

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Baseball A Grand Slam as Rays Show Resilience and Hang On by Joe Ferrara April 10, 2025 Image Credit: MLB TAMPA, FL — On a beautiful Wednesday spring evening, the eighth home game for the Tampa Bay Rays at Steinbrenner Field in 2025, Tampa Bay snapped a five-game losing skid. After navigating through some unexpected delays from the parking lot to the press box, and finally settling in to watch Rays’ starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot, the right-hander faced some early first inning challenges against the Los Angeles Angels but was able to ultimately escape a bases-loaded jam. In the bottom of the first, after two Rays hits and a walk, José Caballero hit a grand slam to stake the team to an exhilarating early 4-0 lead. Image Credit: MLB Meanwhile, Pepiot struggled again in the second, giving up a lead-off home run to Kyren Paris after two quick outs loaded the bases followed by a pop out from cleanup hitter Jorge Soler (Havana, Cuba) to get out of the second bases-loaded situation. The Angels narrowed the lead with solo home runs in the fourth and fifth innings, adding to the game’s tension. However, the Rays responded with an insurance run when leadoff hitter Yandy Díaz also hit a solo home run, the Cuban All-Star’s first HR of 2025 and 15th dating back to the start of 2024. Image Credit: MLB In the eighth inning, Paris hit his second home run of the game and fourth solo HR by Angel hitters. Though it wasn’t enough as closer Pete Fairbanks pitched a perfect ninth to secure a 5-4 triumphant victory for the Rays, their first win after losing five straight games. Overall, the Rays did an outstanding job in “converting” the stadium, the spring training home of the New York Yankees and regular season home of the Tampa Tarpons, their single A affiliate, into their new temporary “home.” Image Credit: MLB In the news off the field, the City of St. Petersburg City Council voted to allocate funds for repairs to Tropicana Field, which Hurricane Milton damaged. Work is set to begin in August and be completed in time for the 2026 Major League Baseball season. Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content Instagram: @latinosportsoficial Facebook: Latino Sports Twitter: @latinosports Related Topics Angels City of St. Petersburg George M. Steinbrenner Field Hurricane Milton Jorge Soler Jose Caballero Los Angeles Angels Major League Baseball MLB Rays Ryan Pepiot Tampa Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field Yandy Diaz Click to comment Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Website Advertisement Facebook Latest Article Baseball / 1 week ago 35TH ANNUAL LATINOMVP AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED BRONX, NEW YORK — (March 31, 2025) — For thirty-five (35) consecutive years, Latino… By Press Release Boxing / 12 mins ago Taylor and Serrano Clash at The Garden Before Historic Trilogy in NYC NEW YORK, NY — What a historic night for women’s professional boxing and it’s… By Nabila Parnella Editorial / 4 hours ago Nelsey Cruz’s Legacy As A Hero Will Forever Live On The following was written by Ray Negron, a longtime contributor, supporter and friend of… By Latino Sports Baseball / 5 hours ago Final pool composition announced for 2026 World Baseball Classic Brazil, Chinese Taipei, Colombia and Nicaragua Placed into Pools After Advancing from Qualifiers Played… By Latino Sports Hockey / 7 hours ago Devils Clinch Playoff Spot Amid Rollercoaster Season: Keys to a Deep Run NEWARK, NJ — The New Jersey Devils have officially punched their ticket to the… By Joel Rodriguez More in Baseball Final pool composition announced for 2026 World Baseball Classic Brazil, Chinese Taipei, Colombia and Nicaragua Placed into Pools After Advancing from Qualifiers Played… Overall Cold Ends Mets Streak FLUSHING, NY — You could hear the boos from the faithful Mets fans at… Queens Royalty: St. John’s Red Storm honored by Mets at Citi Field FLUSHING, NY — Queens Royalty was present Wednesday afternoon at Citi Field as the… What A Surprise: Snell To The IL LOS ANGELES, CA — Well, it didn’t take long for one of the 2025… Overall Cold Ends Mets Streak Final pool composition announced for 2026 World Baseball Classic