Rays Stun Threshers Early on Monday Night

After falling big to the Threshers on Sunday the Vero Beach Rays came out looking to prove their worth on Monday. The Rays picked up six runs in the first six innings plowing through three Threshers pitchers in the process. The Threshers offense meanwhile was stymied until the third inning when Brad Harman got the team on the board with a 2-run home run to tie the game before the Rays added two in the bottom of the frame and another in the next inning to go up 5-2.

The Rays added another run in the sixth to extend their lead to 6-2 until the Threshers picked up two in the seventh to cut the lead to 6-4 at the seventh inning stretch.

The Rays were not quite ready to go down, and added another two runs on a home run against the Threshers fourth pitcher of the night, JJ Trujillo taking the game into the final frame with the Threshers trailing by four runs 8-4.

The Rays made things interesting in the ninth by loading the bases with a walk, an error and a walk before Jeremy Slayden stepped to the plate for the Threshers. After going 0-4 in his first four attempts Jeremy decided enough was enough and showed his mettle crushing a game-tying grand slam. Suddenly it was a new ball game at 8-8.

Lou Marson then stepped to the plate and knocked another dinger to give the Threshers a 9-8 lead before the Rays finally closed the Threshers down with three quick outs, but the rally was complete as JJ Trujillo redeemed the Threshers by gathering three quick outs and sending the Threshers home winners with a terrific ninth inning win!

Tonight was one of those nights that remind you of why you never leave a game early, no matter what. Unfortunately this game was on the road far from home and I was not there, but I still cannot stop running into the bedroom and giving my wife high fives on this terrific come from behind win. This is the reason that we all love sports, and especially this game of baseball.

Long distance high fives go out to everyone on the team tonight!