Rays Hit Five Homers In Win Over TigersÂ
The Rays hit five home runs including a pair by Logan Morrison and a Grand Slam by Steven Souza Jr. in defeating the Detroit Tigers 9-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Jacob Faria (3-0, 1.37 ERA) was dazzling in his third start holding the Tigers to just one first inning run spanning his seven innings of work. The Tigers were only able to muster six hits while he struck out nine and walked one.
Chase Whitley and Tommy Hunter each worked a scoreless inning in relief in the win.
Faria is the fifth pitcher since Baseball Reference data is available (1913) to go six innings (or more), allow one run or fewer and earn the win in his first three career appearances. He joins Andy Rincon (1980) of the St. Louis Cardinals. Wayne Simpson (1970) of the Cincinnati Reds. Stu Miller (1952) of the St. Louis Cardinals and Alex Main (1914) of the Detroit Tigers.
He joins Jeremy Hellickson as the only other Rays pitcher to win his first three career games as a starter.
The win gives the Rays a split in the four game series with the Tigers as well as a split on their six game road trip. Overall, they improve to 37-35 on the season, 10-10 in franchise history on Fathers Day, and 23-18 outside of the AL East.
Buck Farmer (2-1, 6.62 ERA) took the loss for the Tigers who fall to 32-36 on the year.
Rays Offense:
For the fifth time this season the Rays hit five homers in a game. Logan Morrison hit a two run homer in the first, his 20th in the first to put the Rays up 2-0. Derek Norris added a solo homer leading off the third inning. Â Later in the inning Steven Souza Jr. hit his first career grand slam to put the Rays up 7-1.
Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison capped the scoring hitting back-to-back homers in the top of the seventh. It was Longoria’s 10th homer of the year and Morrison’s 21st.
Also, it marks the ninth time the Rays have hit back-to-back homers this season, tying a franchise record (also 2007 and 2008).
It was the second time Longoria and Morrison combined to go back-to-back (also, 5/28 at Minnesota). Also, marks the third time that Morrison played a part in back-to-back homers.
Smith’s Streak Continues:
Mallex Smith finished the game 1-for-5 extending his hitting streak to ten games. The longest hitting streak by a Ray this season.  He is batting .410 (16-for-39) during the streak.
Up Next For Rays:
The Rays return home for a three game series against the Cincinnati Reds. Jake Odorizzi (4-3, 3.77 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays. Scott Feldman (5-5, 4.29 ERA) takes the mound for the Reds who have lost nine games in a row.
