A Bitter Loss After a Sweet Longo Homecoming: Rays 2, Guardians 4

Rays fall short after giving up two home runs and going 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position

At least we got to hear those electric violins again.

Before the game, there was an emotional return to Tropicana Field. Former Tampa Bay Rays star Evan Longoria, the franchise’s all-time leader in multiple statistical categories, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. This marked Longoria’s first return to the Trop since his departure after the 2017 season, providing an opportunity to give him his well-deserved flowers.

The early innings were characterized by strong pitching from both sides. Zack Littell of the Rays and Gavin Williams of the Guardians kept the scoreboard clean through the first two innings, with neither team breaking through. Littell was impressive, striking out Steven Kwan and inducing groundouts to keep the Guardians at bay. Williams was equally effective, dodging an early threat by picking off José Caballero after issuing a walk.

In the top of the third, the Guardians seemed poised to score with runners on first and second, thanks to a single by Bo Naylor and a walk to Steven Kwan. However, Littell dug deep and struck out Angel Martinez, looking to escape the inning without allowing a run.

The bottom of the third saw the Rays break the deadlock. Richie Palacios earned a walk and advanced to second on a flyout by Jonny DeLuca. Not just any flyout but a ricochet in shallow right field off Andrés Giménez’s glove and into Will Brennan’s. Yandy Diaz then delivered a crucial RBI double, allowing Palacios to score and giving the Rays a 1-0 lead. Despite a wild pitch that moved Diaz to third, Williams could escape the inning with minimal damage.

The Guardians responded in the fifth inning. Littell, solid up to this point, faced trouble when Angel Martinez blasted a solo home run to right field, tying the game at 1-1. The Guardians capitalized further when David Fry reached on catcher interference, setting up Giménez’s RBI single, scoring Josh Naylor and giving the Guardians a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom half of the fifth, the Rays immediately countered. Palacios led off with a triple, setting the stage for a potential rally. Jonny DeLuca then reached on a throwing error by Daniel Schneemann, allowing Palacios to score and tying the game at 2-2. However, the Rays’ offense stalled as Diaz grounded into a double play and Brandon Lowe grounded out, leaving the game level.

The Rays bullpen then took over, with Edwin Uceta replacing Littell in the seventh inning. Uceta managed to keep the Guardians scoreless in his lone inning of work.

In the eighth inning, Garrett Cleavinger took the mound for the Rays. After retiring Giménez, Giménez allowed a single to pinch-hitter Tyler Freeman. The Guardians then brought in Jhonkensy Noel as a pinch-hitter, and he delivered in a big way, crushing a two-run homer to left-center field, pushing the Guardians ahead 4-2. The Rays continue to give up home runs like they were promotional items this season. The team has given up the most home runs before the All-Star break in franchise history, with 126 through this game.

The Rays tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the eighth but were thwarted by the Guardians’ bullpen. Despite Brandon Lowe's and Josh Lowe's singles, the Rays couldn’t drive them home, with Arozarena grounding into a force out to end the inning.

Shawn Armstrong came in to pitch the ninth for the Rays, allowing a double to José Ramírez but retiring the next two batters to keep the deficit at two runs. Emmanuel Clase closed out the game for the Guardians at the bottom of the ninth. Despite a single by José Caballero, the Rays couldn’t muster a late rally, with Palacios and DeLuca grounding out to end the game.

The Rays had their chances in this game, but it is hard to win a game when you are 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. They entered the game with an MLB-worst 8-for-61 (.131) with RISP in their last six games since July 5 and will have to figure out how to get runners in if they are to improve in the second half of this season.

While the Rays’ loss was disappointing, Evan Longoria's return provided a memorable moment and perhaps even some closure on the departure of one of, if not the greatest, players in franchise history.

A win tomorrow, and the Rays will have their fifth straight series win at home and seven of their last eight heading into the All-Star break. The first pitch is at 1:40 pm ET. Ryan Pepiot is taking the Rays mound, and Ben Lively is starting for the Guardians.