The Tampa Bay Rays didn’t finish the first half the way they wanted, but they still head into the All-Star break sitting in a prime spot.
Seattle snapped Tampa Bay’s chance at a series sweep Sunday at Tropicana Field, beating the Rays 8-2. Even with that loss, Tampa Bay goes into the break with the best record in the American League at 56-38 and a three-game cushion over the New York Yankees in the AL East.
Sunday’s finale got away from the Rays early. Ian Seymour, making the start to close out the first half, looked sharp in the opening inning before things unraveled in the next frame. He ended up working 3.1 innings, giving up five earned runs on six hits while striking out three and walking three.
Tampa Bay’s bullpen tried to keep the game from slipping further, but the Mariners still added two more earned runs over the final 5.2 innings.
The Rays’ offense never really found a rhythm, either. Seattle was forced to use seven pitchers after Emerson Hancock exited because of injury, but Tampa Bay managed only four hits. The one bright spot came in the eighth inning, when Jonathan Aranda launched a two-run homer, his 14th of the season.
Now the Rays get a five-day break before the second half begins. They’ll send five All-Stars to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with Junior Caminero also set to take part in the Home Run Derby. After the break, Tampa Bay opens the second half Friday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, kicking off an eight-game road trip against division opponents.
Griffin Jax, who is 5-6 with a 3.47 ERA, is scheduled to start that game. First pitch is set for 1:35 PM EST.
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Martes appeal goes beyond the usual deadline buzz because he is not a rental, and that matters for a Rays club that has to balance urgency with longer-term value. A three-time All-Star with control stretching through 2030 and a player option for 2031, he would come at a price that reflects both his production and his contract, which is exactly the kind of calculation that can turn a simple rumor into a real front-office test. [Read more 🡒]