The Tampa Bay Rays (38-15) defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers (31-21) 9-3 on Friday evening at Tropicana Field. It was the first time the Rays and Dodgers had met since the 2020 World Series, which Los Angeles won in six games.
After LA scored in the top of the first, the Rays answered in the bottom of the first with a RBI groundout from Brandon Lowe and a RBI single from Josh Lowe. Tampa Bay added two more in the second inning with a RBI groundout from Yady Diaz and a sacrifice fly from Wander Franco to make it 4-1.
The Rays also got a solo home run from Yandy Diaz in the fourth, and a two-run blast from Jose Siri in the eighth, to make it a 9-3 game.
Jalen Beeks allowed one earned run as the opener on three hits while striking out two and walking one in an inning and two-thirds of work. Cooper Criswell (1-1, 6.46) allowed one earned run in four innings as the bulk guy, picking up his first major league win.
The Rays and Dodgers now meet in the second game of the three game series on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 4;10 PM - Rays Radio pregame coverage with Neil Solondz and Andy Freed begins at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES