ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox brought the American League East’s best record to Tropicana Field. But the past two days, the Tampa Bay Rays have brought the power.
On Tuesday night, the Rays marked a franchise first: Hitting four home runs in consecutive games. On Monday, they smacked four in a 10-8 loss in 14 innings. On Tuesday, they added another four in an 8-3 victory.
“I think we’ve been working good at-bats,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “When you work good at-bats, and you’re not trying to do too much, the home runs just happen, because you’re strong, and the ball comes off your bat hot.”
Here is a summary of the Rays’ hot run.
— Matt Joyce (first inning, right field, 365 feet)
— Evan Longoria (first inning, center field, 429 feet)
— James Loney (seventh inning, right field, 374 feet)
— Jose Lobaton (10th inning, right field, 359 feet)
— Desmond Jennings (second inning, left-center field, 412 feet; fifth inning, left field, 375 feet)
— Evan Longoria (fourth inning, right field, 350 feet)
— Matt Joyce (fifth inning, right field, 422 feet)
