The Cincinnati Reds (16-8) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (12-11) 12-6 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. For the Rays, it was their third straight loss.
The Reds scored two in the second and two in the fourth and never looked back. They led 9-0 before the Rays got on the board - they did so with a two-run homer from Jonathan Aranda in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cincinnati added two more in the seventh and one in the ninth and the blowout was on.]
Tampa Bay was able to get on the board with four runs in the ninth to pull within 12-6 but the Reds held on to complete the win. Steven Matz (3-1, 4.81) took the loss for the Rays, allowing four earned runs on four hits in his three innings of work. Chase Burns (2-1, 2.57) got the win for the Reds, allowing two earned runs on four hits in five and two-third innings in which he struck out eight and walked two.
The Rays will now look to salvage the series finale against the Reds on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Inside Pitch at high noon on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES