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Caballero’s 2-run home run against Kelly in the 10th inning helps Rays to 9-8 win over Dodgers – Winnipeg Free Press


Caballero’s 2-run home run against Kelly in the 10th inning helps Rays to 9-8 win over Dodgers – Winnipeg Free Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jose Caballero hit a key two-run homer off Joe Kelly in the 10th inning after Tampa Bay blew a 4-0 lead in the first inning and the Rays beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-8 on Saturday night.

“That helped us a lot,” said teammate Junior Caminero. “I probably screamed more out there than he did.”

Jonny DeLuca began the 10th inning as the designated runner at second base, reached third base on Josh Lowe’s groundout and scored on Caballero’s throw to left center field against Kelly (1-1).

Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jonny DeLuca throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jonny DeLuca throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“Sometimes he comes in and is great, and sometimes he struggles,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s definitely been inconsistent.”

Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips allowed Caminero’s tying home run early in the ninth inning before striking out the next three batters.

Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning to take the lead after the Japanese superstar became the fastest player in major league history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases.

Ohtani was the first to strike out of the 10th inning against Garrett Cleavinger, hitting a huge fly to right that was caught. Designated runner Miguel Rojas advanced to third base and scored on Mookie Betts’ sacrifice fly to center, putting the Dodgers behind 9-8. Freddie Freeman hit a ground ball to second base to end the game.

“The guys have good batting chances. There’s a fighting spirit,” Roberts said. “We just didn’t pitch well tonight. We had a chance to win and we just couldn’t fight it off.”

Manuel Rodriguez (3-3) earned the win with one inning as a relief pitcher. Cleavinger made his fourth save.

“Our offense did a great job scoring two (runs), which made it a lot easier,” Cleavinger said. “The guys really swung well against some good pitchers.”

Trailing 5-3, Max Muncy hit a double in the fifth inning, reached third base on a Tommy Edman groundout and scored on Rojas’ single. Ohtani followed with his swing, which was greeted with chants of “MVP! MVP!”

Rojas hit a solo home run in the seventh inning – his first home run since June 14 – for the NL West-leading Dodgers, who had won five straight overall and seven straight at home.

The bottom of the Rays’ lineup loaded the bases in the eighth inning against reliever Michael Kopech. Lowe hit a single, Caballero hit a double and Alex Jackson worked a walk with no outs. Yandy Diaz sacrificed for a double play and Lowe scored. Jackson was thrown out at second base when he inexplicably decided to tag and run the fly ball to left. Brandon Lowe hit a pop-up to shortstop and the Rays trailed 7-6.

“Definitely a rollercoaster ride,” Cleavinger said. “We’re kind of used to winning the hard way here.”

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw allowed five runs and nine hits in five innings. He struck out five times and walked two.

“He just wasn’t up to par,” Roberts said. “He couldn’t strike out the batters, and they put the balls in play.”

Rays starter Taj Bradley allowed six runs and seven hits in six innings. He struck out five times.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani waits for a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani waits for a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

The Rays took a 4-0 lead against Kershaw in the first inning when the left-hander needed 30 pitches and brought in five baserunners in a row.

Caminero had an RBI single, Christopher Morel doubled and left fielder Teoscar Hernández’s fielding error allowed Caminero to score. DeLuca added two more runs with an RBI single.

Hernández hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning.

TRAINING ROOM

Rays: C Ben Rortvedt has been removed from the family medical emergency list.

Dodgers: RHP Tyler Glasnow (elbow) played catcher for the first time since being placed on the injured list a week ago. He is expected to be out until September, but the team is optimistic he will return to pitching during the regular season.