DETROIT -- Steven Souza Jr. has been looking forward to playing on Father's Day since his son Micah was born in December.
The day ended up more memorable than he could have imagined.
Souza hit his first career grand slam as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-1 on Sunday. He also homered this season on Mother's Day.
"It was special to hit one for my mom on Mother's Day, but today was for both my dad and for my son," he said. "When I got back to the dugout, I looked into the camera, thanked my dad, told Micah that I love him and thanked my wife for making all of this possible.
"I can't wait to get home tonight and see them."
Logan Morrison had two of Tampa Bay's five homers, while Derek Norris and Evan Longoria each had one. The Rays won the last two games of the four-game series after being outscored 18-7 in the first two.
"It's huge to come back and split a series against a team like, especially after playing two ugly games to start," Souza said.
The Tigers went 2-4 on their six-game homestand and have lost seven of their last 10. Detroit is now 32-36 and in fourth place, 4 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central.
"It was a crappy homestand, quite frankly," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We're not going to make any strides if we keep playing like this."
Jake Faria (3-0) allowed one run, six hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out a career-high nine. Faria is the second starting pitcher in Rays history to win his first three career games, joining Jeremy Hellickson.
"My secret is not shaking off Derek," Faria said. "He knows these hitters a lot better than I do, so I'm letting him make the decisions."
Buck Farmer (2-1) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings, and has now allowed 13 runs in 4 2/3 innings over his last two starts. Farmer gave up five hits, including three homers, walked one batter and hit another.
"I have to execute pitches, and in the last two games, I haven't done that," he said.
Farmer was demoted to Triple-A Toledo after the game.
"It's always difficult being sent down, but it is probably for the best."
Morrison gave the Rays a 2-0 lead in the first with his 20th homer of the season, a drive off the railing above the right-field fence.
Justin Upton's RBI single made it 2-1 in the bottom of the first, but Norris restored the two-run lead with a homer in the third.
Later in the inning, the Rays loaded the bases with a single, a hit batter and a walk before Souza made it 7-1 with his first grand slam.
Longoria and Morrison gave the Rays an eight-run lead with back-to-back homers off Chad Bell in the seventh. It was Tampa's ninth set of back-to-back homers this season, tying a franchise record set in 2007 and tied in 2008.
The first pitch was delayed 31 minutes by rain.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: C Wilson Ramos (ACL tear) caught six innings for Triple-A Durham on Saturday, marking the first time he had caught on back-to-back days in his rehab process. He had a scheduled day off on Sunday.
Tigers: DH Victor Martinez (irregular heartbeat) is expected to stay away from any activity while the Tigers are on a seven-game road trip. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said if his heart rate remains normal, Martinez could resume light cardio activity in about a week.
MORRISON'S MEMORABLE DAY
Morrison has dedicated much of his career to his father, who died of lung cancer during his rookie season. He runs a charity baseball camp in his dad's honor and pays tribute to his military service with a Coast Guard salute after each home run.
"I'm sure having a game like this on Father's Day was special for LoMo, because we all know how close he was to his dad," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
SHORT-LIVED EXPERIMENT
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus announced before the game that Anibal Sanchez will return from Triple-A Toledo and start Monday's game in Seattle, with the Tigers moving temporarily to a six-man rotation. Sanchez posted a 9.00 ERA in 11 games as a long reliever before voluntarily going to Toledo to work on transitioning back to a starting role. In four starts with the Mud Hens, he went 0-2 with a 4.60 ERA.
However, with Farmer being sent down to make room for Sanchez, the Tigers are back at five starters.
UP NEXT
Rays: Tampa opens a six-game, seven-day homestand Monday, with RHP Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 3.77) facing Cincinnati's Scott Feldman (5-5, 4.29).
Tigers: Detroit heads to the west coast for seven games in seven days against Seattle and San Diego. Sanchez (0-0, 9.00) will start the opener against the Mariners against Sam Gaviglio (3-1, 3.41).
Tampa Bay Rays
The day ended up more memorable than he could have imagined.
Souza hit his first career grand slam as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-1 on Sunday. He also homered this season on Mother's Day.
"It was special to hit one for my mom on Mother's Day, but today was for both my dad and for my son," he said. "When I got back to the dugout, I looked into the camera, thanked my dad, told Micah that I love him and thanked my wife for making all of this possible.
"I can't wait to get home tonight and see them."
Logan Morrison had two of Tampa Bay's five homers, while Derek Norris and Evan Longoria each had one. The Rays won the last two games of the four-game series after being outscored 18-7 in the first two.
"It's huge to come back and split a series against a team like, especially after playing two ugly games to start," Souza said.
The Tigers went 2-4 on their six-game homestand and have lost seven of their last 10. Detroit is now 32-36 and in fourth place, 4 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the AL Central.
"It was a crappy homestand, quite frankly," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We're not going to make any strides if we keep playing like this."
Jake Faria (3-0) allowed one run, six hits and a walk in seven innings. He struck out a career-high nine. Faria is the second starting pitcher in Rays history to win his first three career games, joining Jeremy Hellickson.
"My secret is not shaking off Derek," Faria said. "He knows these hitters a lot better than I do, so I'm letting him make the decisions."
Buck Farmer (2-1) allowed seven runs in 2 1/3 innings, and has now allowed 13 runs in 4 2/3 innings over his last two starts. Farmer gave up five hits, including three homers, walked one batter and hit another.
"I have to execute pitches, and in the last two games, I haven't done that," he said.
Farmer was demoted to Triple-A Toledo after the game.
"It's always difficult being sent down, but it is probably for the best."
Morrison gave the Rays a 2-0 lead in the first with his 20th homer of the season, a drive off the railing above the right-field fence.
Justin Upton's RBI single made it 2-1 in the bottom of the first, but Norris restored the two-run lead with a homer in the third.
Later in the inning, the Rays loaded the bases with a single, a hit batter and a walk before Souza made it 7-1 with his first grand slam.
Longoria and Morrison gave the Rays an eight-run lead with back-to-back homers off Chad Bell in the seventh. It was Tampa's ninth set of back-to-back homers this season, tying a franchise record set in 2007 and tied in 2008.
The first pitch was delayed 31 minutes by rain.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: C Wilson Ramos (ACL tear) caught six innings for Triple-A Durham on Saturday, marking the first time he had caught on back-to-back days in his rehab process. He had a scheduled day off on Sunday.
Tigers: DH Victor Martinez (irregular heartbeat) is expected to stay away from any activity while the Tigers are on a seven-game road trip. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said if his heart rate remains normal, Martinez could resume light cardio activity in about a week.
MORRISON'S MEMORABLE DAY
Morrison has dedicated much of his career to his father, who died of lung cancer during his rookie season. He runs a charity baseball camp in his dad's honor and pays tribute to his military service with a Coast Guard salute after each home run.
"I'm sure having a game like this on Father's Day was special for LoMo, because we all know how close he was to his dad," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
SHORT-LIVED EXPERIMENT
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus announced before the game that Anibal Sanchez will return from Triple-A Toledo and start Monday's game in Seattle, with the Tigers moving temporarily to a six-man rotation. Sanchez posted a 9.00 ERA in 11 games as a long reliever before voluntarily going to Toledo to work on transitioning back to a starting role. In four starts with the Mud Hens, he went 0-2 with a 4.60 ERA.
However, with Farmer being sent down to make room for Sanchez, the Tigers are back at five starters.
UP NEXT
Rays: Tampa opens a six-game, seven-day homestand Monday, with RHP Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 3.77) facing Cincinnati's Scott Feldman (5-5, 4.29).
Tigers: Detroit heads to the west coast for seven games in seven days against Seattle and San Diego. Sanchez (0-0, 9.00) will start the opener against the Mariners against Sam Gaviglio (3-1, 3.41).
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Tampa Bay - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Buck Farmer pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Smith flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Dickerson reached on infield single to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Longoria grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Dickerson out at second. | 0 | 0 |
| Morrison homered to right (368 feet), Longoria scored. | 2 | 0 |
| Souza Jr. struck out looking. | 2 | 0 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Jacob Faria pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| Kinsler popped out to second. | 2 | 0 |
| Avila singled to center. | 2 | 0 |
| Cabrera walked, Avila to second. | 2 | 0 |
| J.D. Martinez struck out swinging. | 2 | 0 |
| Upton singled to center, Avila scored, Cabrera to second. | 2 | 1 |
| Castellanos flied out to right. | 2 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Buck Farmer pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Rasmus fouled out to shortstop. | 2 | 1 |
| Beckham grounded out to shortstop. | 2 | 1 |
| Robertson struck out swinging. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Jacob Faria pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| Presley grounded out to second. | 2 | 1 |
| McCann struck out swinging. | 2 | 1 |
| Machado singled to left center. | 2 | 1 |
| Kinsler lined out to center. | 2 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Buck Farmer pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Norris homered to left (417 feet). | 3 | 1 |
| Smith grounded out to second. | 3 | 1 |
| Dickerson singled to left. | 3 | 1 |
| Dickerson stole second. | 3 | 1 |
| Longoria hit by pitch. | 3 | 1 |
| Morrison walked, Dickerson to third, Longoria to second. | 3 | 1 |
| Souza Jr. homered to left (390 feet), Dickerson, Longoria and Morrison scored. | 7 | 1 |
| Bell relieved Farmer. | 7 | 1 |
| Rasmus struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| Beckham lined out to first. | 7 | 1 |
| 5 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Jacob Faria pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| Avila flied out to left. | 7 | 1 |
| Cabrera struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| J.D. Martinez struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Chad Bell pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Robertson lined out to center. | 7 | 1 |
| Norris grounded out to third. | 7 | 1 |
| Smith singled to left. | 7 | 1 |
| Smith stole second. | 7 | 1 |
| Dickerson singled to left, Smith to third. | 7 | 1 |
| Longoria walked, Dickerson to second. | 7 | 1 |
| Morrison grounded out to first. | 7 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Jacob Faria pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| Upton struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| Castellanos struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| Presley struck out looking. | 7 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Chad Bell pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Souza Jr. grounded out to second. | 7 | 1 |
| Rasmus struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| Beckham struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Jacob Faria pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| McCann fouled out to catcher. | 7 | 1 |
| Machado singled to center. | 7 | 1 |
| Kinsler fouled out to first. | 7 | 1 |
| Avila singled to center, Machado to second. | 7 | 1 |
| Cabrera flied out to right. | 7 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Chad Bell pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Robertson struck out looking. | 7 | 1 |
| Norris flied out to center. | 7 | 1 |
| Smith struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Jacob Faria pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| J.D. Martinez struck out swinging. | 7 | 1 |
| Upton flied out to right. | 7 | 1 |
| Castellanos lined out to left. | 7 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Chad Bell pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Dickerson fouled out to catcher. | 7 | 1 |
| Longoria homered to left (419 feet). | 8 | 1 |
| Morrison homered to right (380 feet). | 9 | 1 |
| Souza Jr. singled to left. | 9 | 1 |
| Rasmus struck out swinging. | 9 | 1 |
| Beckham grounded into fielder's choice to third, Souza Jr. out at second. | 9 | 1 |
| 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Jacob Faria pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| Bourjos in left field. | 9 | 1 |
| Featherston at third base. | 9 | 1 |
| Presley reached on infield single to shortstop. | 9 | 1 |
| McCann struck out swinging. | 9 | 1 |
| Machado grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Presley out at second. | 9 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Warwick Saupold pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Romine at second base. | 9 | 1 |
| Hicks at first base. | 9 | 1 |
| Mahtook in left field. | 9 | 1 |
| Saupold relieved Bell. | 9 | 1 |
| Robertson grounded out to second. | 9 | 1 |
| Norris flied out to center. | 9 | 1 |
| Smith grounded out to first. | 9 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Chase Whitley pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| Whitley relieved Faria. | 9 | 1 |
| Romine struck out swinging. | 9 | 1 |
| Avila walked. | 9 | 1 |
| Hicks grounded out to first, Avila to second. | 9 | 1 |
| J.D. Martinez grounded out to third. | 9 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Daniel Stumpf pitching for Detroit | TB | DET |
| Stumpf relieved Saupold. | 9 | 1 |
| Bourjos flied out to right. | 9 | 1 |
| Featherston flied out to right. | 9 | 1 |
| Morrison fouled out to third. | 9 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Tommy Hunter pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | DET |
| Hunter relieved Whitley. | 9 | 1 |
| Mahtook struck out swinging. | 9 | 1 |
| Castellanos flied out to right. | 9 | 1 |
| Presley struck out swinging. | 9 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
Tampa Bay Rays
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | .355 | .420 | .468 |
| Dickerson LF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | .330 | .367 | .587 |
Bourjos LF
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .230 | .288 | .419 |
| Longoria 3B | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 17 | .253 | .322 | .422 |
Featherston 3B
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .214 | .250 | .429 |
| Morrison 1B | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | .245 | .353 | .572 |
| Souza Jr. RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .265 | .376 | .492 |
| Rasmus DH | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | .281 | .318 | .579 |
| Beckham SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | .280 | .321 | .443 |
| Robertson 2B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | .216 | .312 | .351 |
| Norris C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | .191 | .246 | .353 |
| Totals | 37 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 139 | |||
| BATTING HR: Morrison 2 (21, 1st inning off Farmer 1 on, 2 Out; 7th inning off Bell 0 on, 1 Out); Norris (8, 3rd inning off Farmer 0 on, 0 Out); Souza Jr. (13, 3rd inning off Farmer 3 on, 1 Out); Longoria (10, 7th inning off Bell 0 on, 1 Out) RBI: Morrison 3 (47), Norris (22), Souza Jr. 4 (44), Longoria (38) 2-out RBI: Morrison 2 Rays RISP: 2-3 (Dickerson 1-1, Souza Jr. 1-1, Morrison 0-1) Team LOB: 4 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING SB: Dickerson (2, 2nd base off Farmer/McCann); Smith (8, 2nd base off Bell/McCann) | ||||||||||
| FIELDING DP: 1 (Beckham-Robertson-Morrison). | ||||||||||
Game Notes
| The start of the game is being delayed due to rain. |
Game Information
| Stadium | Comerica Park, Detroit, MI |
| Attendance | 36,442 (87.7% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:05 |
| Weather | 78 degrees, cloudy |
| Wind | 17 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Chris Conroy, First Base - Ben May, Second Base - Ed Hickox, Third Base - Jerry Meals |
No comments:
Post a Comment