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The Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates faced off in a two-game series at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida. The series was part of the interleague play, which allows teams from different leagues to play each other during the regular season.
FRI,MARCH 17
In the first game of the series, the Rays took an early lead with a three-run homer by designated hitter Nelson Cruz in the first inning. The Pirates answered back with a run in the second inning, but the Rays extended their lead to 5-1 with another home run by Cruz in the fifth inning. The Pirates were able to score one more run in the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough as the Rays held on for a 6-2 victory.
In the second game, the Pirates were able to take an early lead with a solo home run by center fielder Bryan Reynolds in the first inning. The Rays were quick to respond, however, with a two-run homer by left fielder Austin Meadows in the bottom of the first. The game remained tied until the seventh inning when the Rays were able to score two more runs to take a 4-2 lead. The Pirates were able to score one more run in the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough as the Rays held on for a 4-3 victory.
The Rays had a strong performance from their starting pitchers in both games. In the first game, Shane McClanahan allowed just one run on three hits over five innings, while in the second game, Ryan Yarbrough allowed just one run on three hits over six innings.
Offensively, the Rays were led by Nelson Cruz, who had two home runs and four RBIs in the series. Austin Meadows also had a strong showing, with a home run and three RBIs.
For the Pirates, Bryan Reynolds had a solid series with a home run and two RBIs. However, their offense struggled overall, with just five runs scored in the two games.
The series was important for both teams as they are both fighting for playoff spots in their respective divisions. The Rays are currently leading the American League East, while the Pirates are near the bottom of the National League Central. The Rays are looking to make another deep playoff run after making it to the World Series last season, while the Pirates are looking to rebuild and develop their young talent.
Overall, the series between the Rays and Pirates was a solid matchup between two teams with different goals for the season. The Rays were able to come away with two victories and continue their strong season, while the Pirates will need to regroup and continue to develop their young talent in order to improve in the future.
