ST. PETERSBURG — In deciding to be cautious in handling two-time All-Star Shane McClanahan’s return to action for the first time since August 2023 by skipping his turn in the rotation, the Rays put some extra work on their relievers by designating Saturday as a bullpen game.
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That turned out to be no problem.
Five relievers, including recently promoted Michael Grove in his first big-league action since October 2024, combined on an impressive seven-hit outing.
Add homers by Junior Caminero — his fifth in his last three games — and Jonathan Aranda, and a couple good defensive plays, and it was enough for a 4-2 victory over the Diamondbacks.
In rolling to a fourth straight win — their longest such streak in more than a month — the Rays also reclaimed first place in the American League East by percentage points over the Yankees, who have been on top for the last two weeks.
Cole Sulser started for the Rays and worked the first two innings, and Casey Legumina, Kevin Kelly and Bryan Baker teamed to cover the final four innings.
But the standout performer was Grove, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since Game 2 of the 2024 National League Division Series for the Dodgers vs. the Padres.
Called up Thursday after signing as a free agent in April after recovering from March 2025 shoulder surgery, Grove made a memorable Rays debut — and was awarded the win for doing so.
He worked three innings, allowing one hit and striking out four, throwing only 34 pitches.
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The Diamondbacks grabbed an early lead on what should have been an out at the plate.
Geraldo Perdomo, on second base after a one-out double, raced home trying to score on Corbin Carroll’s single to right. Victor Mesa Jr. made a strong throw that catcher Hunter Feduccia took a step or two toward the first base side of the plate to grab.
Feduccia got back to the front of the plate with plenty of time but wasn’t positioned properly to make the tag as Perdomo made a swim move and touched the plate with his right hand.
The Rays got the run right back, however, as Caminero continued his power show with a blast to left. It was Caminero’s sixth homer in his last five games and 21st of the season.
The Rays took the lead in the fifth with another homer from their suddenly potent hitters. Yandy Diaz walked with two outs, then Aranda extended his hitting streak to a season-high 10 games with a two-run homer to center.
They added a run with some small ball in the sixth. Mesa and Chandler Simpson — on his “bobble legs” giveaway day — each bunted their way on and moved up on a wild pitch. Mesa then scored on a Cedric Mullins sacrifice fly.
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