Tampa Bay Rays Make Baseball History with Comeback Win Over Mariners

The Tampa Bay Rays turned at 4-0 deficit into a lopsided victory on Friday night, making baseball history against the Seattle Mariners in the process.

The Tampa Bay Rays are the best team in baseball and on Friday night in Seattle, they showed why. The Rays got down 4-0 early against the Seattle Mariners, only to come back in a historic way and win, 15-4.

Per @OptaSTATS on Twitter:

.@RaysBaseball is the only MLB team in the modern era to be shut out by 4+ runs through the first 3 innings of a game but then shut out its opponent by 15+ runs the rest of the way.

.@RaysBaseball is the only MLB team in the modern era to be shut out by 4+ runs through the first 3 innings of a game but then shut out its opponent by 15+ runs the rest of the way.

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 1, 2023

It was truly a remarkable win for Tampa, who benefited from Mariners starter Bryce Miller leaving in the fourth inning with injury. After he left, Tampa proceeded to roll through the Mariners bullpen, putting up eight runs in the eighth inning to break a 4-4 tie.

Tampa got multi-hit games from four different players and put up 16 hits in total. Ace Shane McClanahan struggled on the mound but the Rays picked him up with six innings of scoreless bullpen work. Kevin Kelly ended up getting the win in relief. He's 4-1 with a 2.92 ERA.

With the win, the Rays moved to a league-best 57-28. They lead the American League East by 6.5 games and are seeking to win the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

As for the Mariners, the disappointing season continues. Seattle is now 38-42 and their fading playoff chances show them six games out of a wild card spot.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET. Tyler Glasnow (2-1, 4.45 ERA) will pitch against George Kirby (6-7, 3.26 ERA).