Tigers 4, Rays 3: The Tigers fight off the early Rays lead to get the win

The Tigers/Rays series was entering its final game, and while it currently feels like every game has to be “won” in this playoff hunt, the Tigers certainly had a stranglehold on the Rays early in the series, so it It wasn’t surprising to see Tampa Bay looking forward to the away game a bit.

Tyler Alexander was on the mound for the Rays, a name that might be familiar to Tigers fans. Meanwhile, the Tigers called up a number of recovering pitchers, with Reese Olson getting the first call before handing things over to Casey Mize.

The first inning was 1-2-3 for the Rays and also 1-2-3 for the Tigers.

The second was similar. This was supposed to be another quick affair like Tuesday afternoon’s trip, which lasted less than two hours.

In the third, Ben Rortvedt hit a one-out single, then Taylor Walls hit a single right behind him. With two outs, Brandon Lowe singled to drive in two runs. In the home half, the Tigers settled for a double from Parker Meadows, but no runs were scored.

In the fourth, Dylan Carlson singled, but the Rays were unable to add any runs. The Tigers also had a solo baserunner in Matt Vierling, but couldn’t bring him home.

Reese Olson was done after four innings, going 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K on 72 pitches. Casey Mize came in to replace him. Mize gave up a one-out triple to Taylor Walls, who then scored on a wild pitch. Brandon Lowe singled, but Mize regained control and ended the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Trey Sweeney got a one-out single and Parker Meadows got a two-out single, but they remained on base.

Jonathan Aranda doubled early in the sixth, but the Rays couldn’t bring him home. After five, Tyler Alexander’s day was over, and Hunter Bigge came in to replace him. Matt Vierling drew a two-out walk, then Colt Keith hit a triple to bring it home.

Then Kerry Carpenter singled with a short shot and drove Keith home, putting the Tigers on par.

Beau Brieske made his seventh start for the Tigers, getting three straight outs. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers also lost in order to Kevin Kelly.

The Rays were down 1-2-3 early in the eighth quarter. In the home half, Garrett Cleavinger was the next to leave the box. In the home half, Riley Greene hit a one-out single and then stole second. Matt Vierling then drew a walk. Colt Keith then hit a single to score Greene and tie the game.

Then Justyn-Henry Malloy pinch-hit a sac fly to score Vierling and give the Tigers the lead.

Jason Foley was in the top of the ninth hoping to hold on to the lead and lead the Tigers to victory, and he did as the Tigers fought their way back to victory and moved one step closer to the postseason.

Final: Tigers 4, Rays 3