The Rays had tonight’s contest as good as sealed against the Phillies — until it wasn’t.
With what became a four run lead going into the eighth inning by way of a three-run Yandy Diaz opposite field home run, the freight train to Fairbanks had been initiated.
Edwin Uceta came on as the setup man to face the bottom of the Phillies order. What transpired was the 7-9 hitters all reaching base, and a Bryson Stott three-run homer to pull Philadelphia within one run.
Fairbanks would enter in the ninth and give up a lead off single to Kyle Schwarber, which would turn into pinch runner Johan Rojas advancing to third base on an errant pickoff throw.