Rays Stun Red Sox on Kevin Kiermaier's 'Dream Come True' Home Run in 10th Inning
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Even nine innings of no-hit baseball couldn't get the job done for the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night. What it took was 10th inning heroics instead.
During the first nine innings of an ''opener'' night for the Rays' pitching staff, six pitchers kept moving down Red Sox hitters one innings after another. They didn't allow a hit for nine innings, and maneuvered around five walks without incident.
But in the wonky 10th inning, where runner Jackie Bradley Jr., stared on second base, the Red Sox broke up the no-hitter AND took the lead on the same play when first baseman Bobby Dalbec sliced a triple down the right field line off of Matt Wisler that Brett Phillips dove for in the corner, but just missed coming up with the ball.
The first hit of the game for Boston scored a run, and then Dalbec scored on a sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the 10th, it looked the Red Sox had the game won. Ji-Man Choi and Josh Lowe struck out meekly against Boston reliever Hansel Robles, Taylor Walls hit what looked like an easy ground ball to second baseman Trevor Story. But his throw to first was off base and Walls was safe on the error. Randy Arozarena, who started the inning on second base, scored to make it 2-1.
With Kevin Kiermaier up, Walls then stole second and Kiermaier worked the count to 3-1. The next pitch, he ripped a ball into the seats in right field for a 3-2 win.
It was Kiermaier's first-ever walk-off home run — in the big leagues, in the minors, in high school. Never is a long, long time.
"I’ve got to reiterate, you dream of a lot of things when you get to the big leagues, and I’ve always dreamed of hitting a walk-off homer,'' Kiermaier said afterward, his voice shaky and dripping with emotion. "I’ve never done it at any level, backyard-baseball, minor leagues, big leagues, and today was the day. I am so ecstatic, so thrilled, I will never forget this day.
"I got to. 3-1 count and wanted to do some damage there. I hoped I’d get a fastball where I wanted it, and thank God I did. What a win.''
The win came in the most unlikely of ways, because the Rays basically pitched a no-hitter and had nothing to show for it. J.P. Feyereisen started the game as the Rays' ''opener,'' and he pitched two perfect innings. He's now retired 16 batters in a row over four outings.
And then the parade started out of the Rays bullpen. Javy Guerra pitched two-thirds of an inning, and then Jeffrey Springs pitched two. Jason Adam pitched an inning and a third, and then Ryan Thompson pitched a perfect seventh and Andrew Kittredge threw 1-2-3 innings in the eighth and ninth.
“It’s a testament to what we were saying in spring training, that from top to bottom, we have the best bullpen in the big leagues,'' Feyereisen said. "It showed tonight. We had a bullpen game tonight and everybody who came out was just nasty.
“Guys are just nasty and they just go out there and do their jobs and get outs. Some teams have a closer; we have eight or nine closers.’’
Feyereisen watched much of the game in the locker room while getting treatment and working out, his usual routine. But he was back in the dugout for the later innings, and witnessed the 10th inning rally first hand.
“I watched the majority on TV but I was out there at the end. I tell you what, I have so much fun watching this team,'' he said. I lose my voice easily, and I’ll lose my voice over this one.
"I’ve said this before, that this is the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball. These guys, this team, it’s just an awesome group of guys.’’
Story's errant throw in the 10th was ironic, because Walls has had that happen to him this year, too. Kiermaier praised Walls for busting it down the line and forcing a play, ''because 98, 99 times out of 100, that's an out,'' Kiermaier said. But Walls got on, and Kiermaier did the damage.
“Don’t ever count this team out,'' Kiermaier said. "Ever since 2018, we do these things. I always call us the 'Cardiac Cats.' When times get crazy, that’s when we’re at our best.''
This was an epic pitcher's duel, but the 2022 version. The Rays used seven pitchers — only Matt Wisler allowed an damage, that coming in the 10th. Boston's pitchers though, were almost as impressive. They allowed only two hits through the nine innings. They used five pitchers, with Garrett Whitlock starting and allowing only one hit while striking out seven Rays hitters.
And Kiermaier, to be frank, was an unlikely hero. Sure, he's never done this walk-off thing before, but he also has shown no signs that it was coming. He had FOUR hits all year prior to the homer, and was hitting a measly .125 (4-for-32). He had a couple of doubles, but only three RBIs in the first two weeks, and he had struck out 11 times and left a slew of guys on base.
Kiermaier, though, is just a favorite in this locker room, that everyone was excited for him. They all knew this was a huge team win, but was also big for Kiermaier personally.
It's a moment that will live forever.
"Our pitching staff was nasty tonight, and I'm just glad that we get to celebrate a win after throwing a no-hitter through nine. That would have been an ugly way to lose,'' right fielder Brett Phillips said. ''I'm glad we did what we do. I think we're the best at it, letting the next guy be the hero and today it was KK.'
"I remember doing it last year (with a walk-off hit) and being super excited. When I went up to him, that's the first thing I said, that I know you've always wanted to do that. What a moment, like, enjoy that.
Kevin Kiermaier circles bases
Kevin Kiermaier talks with media
Feyereisen two perfect innings
Kevin Kiermaier all smiles
Gatorade bath
Taylor Walls Reaches on Error
Taylor Walls steals second
