Rays vs Marlins Recap: Sanoja's HR lifts Miami in a 4-3 win

The Rays came into Miami hot off a 6-0 win the night before. They wanted to keep rolling. But the Marlins had other plans at home. This game turned into a battle. Javier Sanoja crushed Shane McClanahan's first pitch in the bottom of the first inning. The ball rocketed over the left field wall for a home run. The crowd roared. Then Joe Mack doubled to center, and another run crossed the plate. Just like that, Miami led 2-0. The Rays had been shut out yesterday. Now they faced a team hungry to fight back. The Marlins' bats were alive and dangerous. Sanoja wasn't done yet. He singled again in the sixth inning, driving in another run. Liam Hicks followed with a sacrifice fly. Miami now led 4-0. The Rays needed something special.

The Rays kept fighting even when the Marlins got ahead. In the eighth inning, Yandy Diaz stepped up with Miami leading 4-0. The Rays' superstar doubled to center field. His hit brought Victor Mesa Jr. home. One run down, but the Rays still needed help. Then came the ninth inning. Ben Williamson was on base. Pete Fairbanks, Miami's closer, threw wild pitches in the dirt. Williamson scored on a wild toss. Taylor Walls raced to third base. The Rays had momentum now. Diaz came up again and delivered. He singled to right field. Walls sprinted home from third. The score was 4-3. Tampa Bay climbed back into this game. One more run and they would tie it up.

The Rays got close. They scored three runs and made it 4-3. But they could not tie it. Miami's pitching held strong when it mattered most. Tyler Zuber came in for the final out. He threw one strike and the game was over. The Marlins won 4-3 in a thrilling finish. Miami improved to 30-35 on the season after beating Tampa Bay. The Rays fell to 37-25. It was a tough loss for Tampa after winning big the night before. Yandy Diaz went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. He fought hard until the final out. The Marlins' pitchers like Lake Bachar and Calvin Faucher kept the Rays' bats quiet. Miami's home crowd celebrated the win. The series was all tied up now.