Tampa Bay Rays Swept By Texas Rangers

The Tampa Bay Rays could not rally to save their season as the Texas Rangers put a nail in their coffin, winning with a convincing 7-2 score. Yesterday, The Rangers showed no signs of slowing down after their Game 1 win over Tampa. 

In Game 2, the Rangers gave up just one run (compared to the shutout in the first game). Additionally, they scored seven runs compared to their four in the first outing. Four of those runs came in just the fourth inning.

While the Rays will look towards the next season, the Texans will go on to face the Baltimore Orioles in the Division Series. 

Tampa Fizzles Out 

After opening the season 13-0, the Tampa Bay Rays were overtaken for the AL East’s top seed by the Orioles in July and could not find their groove past that point. 

Even with the fizzle out, The Rays maintained the top wild card spot in their division. However, the home-field advantage seemed to be lackluster. Game 1 included the lowest number recorded for a major postseason game since 1919 at 19,704. Game 2 was not much better, having recorded only 20,198 in attendance. 

With a lack of support and positive play by the players, the Rays extended their postseason losing streak to seven. 

Injuries plagued the team down the stretch of the season, but Manager Kevin Cash did not want excuses to be the narrative. 

“We are who we are, and we finished the regular season with the guys that we had,” he said. “I still feel that we could have had a better showing with the roster that we had.” 

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1709686994450751659

Rangers Rally

The Rangers struggled toward the end of the regular season after losing three of four games to Seattle and losing the AL West division title. This is what made the trip to Tampa possible.

Evan Carter, who is the second-youngest rookie to play in the postseason in franchise history, was one of the highlight players. He hit a home run in the fourth inning to extend the lead and break the backs of the Rays. 

“Carter, gosh, this young kid has come up,” manager Bruce Bochy said on the 20-year-old. “I don’t even know if he knows that he’s in the big leagues … This guy has such a calmness about him.”

Evan Carter. Learn the name. #GoAndTakeIt pic.twitter.com/FC5pEBLpc1

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) October 4, 2023

What’s Next?

The Texas Rangers travel to face the Baltimore Orioles for Game 1 of the Division Series.

It’s scheduled Saturday at 1 p.m. on FS1.