Rays cruise past Tigers 14-8 as Díaz hits 2 homers and Thaiss drives in 4 runs
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yandy Diaz was 3 for 5 with two homers, Matt Thaiss drove in four runs and every Rays starter had at least one hit in Tampa Bay's 14-8 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
The 14 runs given up was a season high for Detroit, which entered with the best record in the majors.
Díaz hit his 19th career leadoff homer, launching a 3-2 fastball over the right-center fence. In the fifth, his solo shot extended the Rays' lead to 9-3 and gave him multiple homers in a game for the first time since May 11, 2019.
Curtis Mead was 2 for 2 with three walks, three runs and an RBI. Díaz, Taylor Walls and Kameron Misner each drove in two for Tampa Bay, which is 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees in the American League East.
Rays starter Shane Baz (7-3) won his fourth consecutive decision, striking out six and giving up four hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Tigers left fielder Riley Greene was 3 for 3 with two homers and four RBIs. It was his sixth multihomer game and third this season. He now has 29 RBIs over his last 29 games dating to May 20. Colt Keith also homered for Detroit, which has lost four of its last six. Key moment
Tampa Bay chased Tigers starter Jack Flaherty (5-8) in the bottom of the third after a bases-loaded double by Walls. Flaherty has surrendered 15 combined runs over his past two starts, raising his season ERA from 3.41 to 4.83. Key stat
The Rays scored four runs in the bottom of the first, their most in the opening frame since they had four in a 5-4 home win over the Angels on April 9. Up next
Tigers RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long (0-0, 3.97 ERA) gets the start against Tampa Bay RHP Ryan Pepiot (4-6, 3.11).
___
AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB
recommended
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return
Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baker Mayfield era in Tampa Bay has been a successful one so far for the Buccaneers. When Tom Brady retired after the 2022 season, most thought the Bucs would suffer a period of adjustment and would be cellar dwellers in the NFC and the NFC South. Advertisement But a funny thing happened on the way to the cellar. General manager Jason Licht signed Mayfield to fill the shoes of Brady, and he did. Mayfield signed on a one-year "prove-it" deal with Tampa Bay, and proceeded to post career numbers. Licht then inked the former Texas Tech Red Raider and Oklahoma Sooner to a three-year, $100 million contract. Mayfield posted another career season in Year 2 with the Bucs. And star wideout Mike Evans couldn't be happier about it. "Huge impact (on Evans' career). He's a big reason to why I came back," Evans said. "The energy that he's brought to Tampa after Tom (Brady) -- that's some huge shoes to fill, huge act to follow -- and I think he's done an unbelievable job, winning two division championships, making it to the postseason. Advertisement "But Tampa's in great hands with Baker. I'm sure he'll play much longer than I will. I'm looking forward to a great season this year and competing for a Super Bowl." Evans was to enter into free agency last offseason and was in high demand. But he eventually stayed with the Bucs and signed a two-year, $41 million deal. As he enters the final season of that deal in 2025, the relationship with Mayfield and the trending upward of the team could convince Evans to stay a couple of more years. Related: Mike Florio Hints at a 'Bill Belichick to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Scenario Related: 'Things Will Get Ugly...' If Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Regresses in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Can Buccaneers' Bucky Irving Squash Sophomore Slump?
Can Buccaneers' Bucky Irving Squash Sophomore Slump? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The rise of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving from backup to bonafide starter in his rookie season was a sight to behold. Advertisement Initially starting behind Rachaad White, Irving proved with each touch that he was the star of the running back room, and eventually usurped White as the starter for Liam Coen. A rookie season that ended with 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns, along with 47 receptions for 392 yards, paints the picture of a fourth-round pick exceeding expectations in a big way. But as we turn for 2025, the big question facing Bucky is, can he do it again? ESPN's Mike Clay thinks so. In his 2025 projections, Irving continues his ascension to be one of the best backs in football. Irving's 2025 projection: 1,227 yards, eight touchdowns, 53 receptions, 409 yards, three touchdowns. Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) carries the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images So 1,636 all-purpose yards and 11 combined touchdowns isn't too bad for your second act in the NFL. Advertisement That would likely equate to Pro Bowl buzz for Bucky and further establish his standing as the clear No. 1 back behind Baker Mayfield. With his bruising, yet speedy running style, plus his ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, Irving is the very definition of a dual-threat back, and one that new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard will be leaning on in 2025. Yes, this is just a projection, but there is nothing stopping Irving from hitting the numbers Clay put up, and if he does, it would mark quite the start to an NFL career for a running back who just 12 months ago wasn't even the starter. No sophomore slump here, folks. Advertisement Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Named 'Borderline Star' In QB Tiers Related: Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
3 hours ago
Rays cruise past Tigers 14-8 as Díaz hits 2 homers and Thaiss drives in 4 runs
TAMPA, Fla. -- Yandy Díaz was 3 for 5 with two homers, Matt Thaiss drove in four runs and every Rays starter had at least one hit in Tampa Bay's 14-8 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night. The 14 runs given up was a season high for Detroit, which entered with the best record in the majors. Díaz hit his 19th career leadoff homer, launching a 3-2 fastball over the right-center fence. In the fifth, his solo shot extended the Rays' lead to 9-3 and gave him multiple homers in a game for the first time since May 11, 2019. Curtis Mead was 2 for 2 with three walks, three runs and an RBI. Díaz, Taylor Walls and Kameron Misner each drove in two for Tampa Bay, which is 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees in the American League East. Rays starter Shane Baz (7-3) won his fourth consecutive decision, striking out six and giving up four hits in 5 1/3 innings. Tigers left fielder Riley Greene was 3 for 3 with two homers and four RBIs. It was his sixth multihomer game and third this season. He now has 29 RBIs over his last 29 games dating to May 20. Colt Keith also homered for Detroit, which has lost four of its last six. Tampa Bay chased Tigers starter Jack Flaherty (5-8) in the bottom of the third after a bases-loaded double by Walls. Flaherty has surrendered 15 combined runs over his past two starts, raising his season ERA from 3.41 to 4.83. The Rays scored four runs in the bottom of the first, their most in the opening frame since they had four in a 5-4 home win over the Angels on April 9. Tigers RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long (0-0, 3.97 ERA) gets the start against Tampa Bay RHP Ryan Pepiot (4-6, 3.11).
