Rays Squeak By Marlins

     The Miami Marlins fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on Friday afternoon. The game was moved from Friday night due to a Metallica concert next door at Raymond James Stadium tonight. 

     It was the first contest in the Marlins nine-game road trip. Miami extended their losing streak to five games. 

     It turned out to be the first Citrus Series game to be played in an outdoor venue since 2011. The Rays are playing their home games in an outdoor stadium this season. Tropicana Field was damaged last October due to Hurricane Milton. Tampa Bay held their home games in St. Petersburg since their inaugural season in 1998. 

     The Rays scored one run in the first inning and two runs during the third inning for a 3-0 lead. Miami(23-38) picked up one run in the top of the fourth and trailed 3-1. Agustin Ramirez smashed a solo homer to left-center field on a 3-0 pitch. He collected his eighth home run in his rookie season. 

     Tampa Bay(34-29) regained a three-run 4-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh. Matt Thaiss singled up the middle to score Jonathan Aranda. 

     The Marlins made it 4-3 in the top of the eighth. Otto Lopez belted a two-run home run to left field on a 1-0 pitch for his fifth homer. Javier Sanoja scored in front of him on the play.