Christopher Morel’s 10th-Inning Blast Lifts Rays Over Diamondbacks in Series Finale
Morel Powers Tampa Bay Past Arizona in Extra-Inning Showdown
PHOENIX, April 25 — In a thrilling late-night battle at Chase Field, Christopher Morel crushed a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning, capping a dramatic three-run surge that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-4 extra-inning win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. It was the second straight extra-inning victory for the Rays and a powerful end to their three-game series in Phoenix.
Late-Inning Drama Unfolds in Phoenix
The Rays, trailing for much of the game, showed late-game resilience. In the ninth, they rallied with three singles, including a game-tying RBI hit from Yandy Díaz, who finished the night with three hits. Then came the 10th inning heroics.
Junior Caminero put Tampa Bay ahead with an RBI double off Arizona reliever J.P. Feyereisen (0-1). Moments later, Morel launched a towering two-run homer to give the Rays breathing room. Morel ended the night with two hits and three RBIs, continuing to deliver in clutch moments for Tampa Bay.
Diamondbacks Show Spark, But Fall Short
The Diamondbacks, now losers of four of their last six, had early momentum. Tim Tawa, promoted from Triple-A Reno earlier this month, blasted his third home run in five games, giving Arizona a 4-1 lead in the fifth. Tawa now has four homers and nine RBIs in just 36 at-bats since replacing the injured Ketel Marte.
Contributions also came from Corbin Carroll, Josh Naylor, and Alek Thomas, each notching an RBI. But Arizona’s bullpen couldn’t hold off the late push from the Rays.
Pitching Notes: Uceta Gets Win, Fairbanks Closes
Edwin Uceta (2-1) earned the win for Tampa Bay with a scoreless ninth inning. In the bottom of the 10th, Pete Fairbanks shut the door, stranding two runners and collecting his fourth save in as many opportunities. Fairbanks struck out Carroll and induced a groundout from Geraldo Perdomo to end the game.
Arizona starter Corbin Burnes was solid but unlucky. Over 5 1/3 innings, he allowed three runs (one earned) and struck out eight. A sixth-inning fielding error of his own led to two unearned runs that proved costly. Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen pitched five innings, allowing four runs on five hits, with five strikeouts and one walk.
Looking Ahead
The Rays, now gaining momentum, will carry this series win into their next matchup with renewed confidence. For the Diamondbacks, the focus shifts to tightening their bullpen and finding consistency in the late innings — a recurring issue in recent losses.
