After falling to the Texas Rangers on Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays are aiming for a bounceback win Saturday without two of their top hitters (Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena) in the starting lineup. Rookie Jonathan Aranda will lead off the batting order, and Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener on the mound.
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Taylor Walls (0) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) grabs ground ball off Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) at bat in the eighth inning at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Lowe safe at first base.
IVY CEBALLO | Times
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (21) smiles at a teammate in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash (16) grabs a phone in the dugout after a call on first baseman Harold Ramirez’s at bat in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (21) and relief pitcher Brooks Raley (30) celebrate beating the Texas Rangers 5-1 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays left fielder David Peralta (6) high fives first base coach Chris Prieto (31) after hitting a single in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) throws ground ball off Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) at bat in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Lowe safe at first base.
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Tampa Bay Rays left fielder David Peralta (6) makes a catch off Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) at bat for the first out in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (26) runs towards home plate to score a run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam (47) reacts after ducking on the pitching mound from a ground ball off Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim’s at bat in the eighth inning, which resulted in a double play to end the half at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) grabs ground ball off Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) at bat in the eighth inning at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Lowe safe at first base.
IVY CEBALLO | Times
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) celebrates hitting a two-run RBI double in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Rays designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (26) and center fielder Jose Siri (22) scored runs.
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Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam (47) reacts after ducking on the pitching mound from a ground ball off Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim’s at bat in the eighth inning, which resulted in a double play to end the half at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
IVY CEBALLO | Times
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Taylor Walls (0) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Taylor Walls (0) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Rodney Linares (27) high fives second baseman Taylor Walls (0) after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) hugs Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Taylor Walls (0) after his solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (26) reacts to striking out in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Javy Guerra (65) pitches in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) gets a safe call by umpire Angel Hernandez (5) after sliding into home plate to score a run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
IVY CEBALLO | Times
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (48) pitches in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) extends his glove as Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) slides into home plate to score a run in the first inning at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) slides into home plate to score a run in the first inning as Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) attempts to tag him out at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) connects for a sacrifice flyout in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Rays center fielder Jose Siri (22) scored a run.
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Tampa Bay Rays first base coach Chris Prieto (31) high fives shortstop Wander Franco (5) after his single in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (21) shares a moment with starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (48) as he takes the mound during a pitching change in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
IVY CEBALLO | Times
Tampa Bay Rays left fielder David Peralta (6) watches ball after hitting a sacrifice fly in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) scores a run.
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Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong (64) pitches in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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Tampa Bay Rays Jonathan Aranda (62) hits during batting practice ahead of a game against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
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/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JTUXNSCGQJE7NJFDO4NEV7LDKI.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Taylor Walls (0) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/EXUI2JH4QZFHHGMSGAKHXR24QA.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) grabs ground ball off Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) at bat in the eighth inning at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Lowe safe at first base.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PJKX6MP7LNDPLHVTWWEZQEZUSI.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (21) smiles at a teammate in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZOAPRJZE4FGBRGSVBELEMBNP2A.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash (16) grabs a phone in the dugout after a call on first baseman Harold Ramirez’s at bat in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/EYEINXNX6VADHF4XO2ML6MVH6Y.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (21) and relief pitcher Brooks Raley (30) celebrate beating the Texas Rangers 5-1 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UQ6FKUAZXRF3VBCJ4B3AEPCCEI.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays left fielder David Peralta (6) high fives first base coach Chris Prieto (31) after hitting a single in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DLYMXGUBYJGTXIDRJBAFZOAD4A.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) throws ground ball off Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) at bat in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Lowe safe at first base.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5VSQHEJODRHLDDKYBNNXMUWUUM.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays left fielder David Peralta (6) makes a catch off Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) at bat for the first out in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/R3WLM6LAYRA3PDOPFK7YMSBQSE.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (26) runs towards home plate to score a run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7X3BNDVUM5DW5K3DZ4NA54FV3Q.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam (47) reacts after ducking on the pitching mound from a ground ball off Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim’s at bat in the eighth inning, which resulted in a double play to end the half at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/O4N5X6DYOVEYVGFS6E6XA6QOLE.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) grabs ground ball off Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) at bat in the eighth inning at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Lowe safe at first base.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/NUDLGD3OFVCXLP6AC65QLCND3A.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) celebrates hitting a two-run RBI double in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Rays designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (26) and center fielder Jose Siri (22) scored runs.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3OO443SPFZBDPDSQ2N7HW4FFTA.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam (47) reacts after ducking on the pitching mound from a ground ball off Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim’s at bat in the eighth inning, which resulted in a double play to end the half at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Q2XMGTIJRNAJ3ODRMG34UE4NG4.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Taylor Walls (0) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/2G4LQCTIUNFSNAJWDP7NEFSZSY.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Taylor Walls (0) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/C264TGFJ3RDRDLJVWH5EK2D2HQ.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Rodney Linares (27) high fives second baseman Taylor Walls (0) after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DOEPT25L5FCCTBLYBC6DYBWAWE.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) hugs Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Taylor Walls (0) after his solo home run in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FVWATJJGUNHVNHD3BQBDUQRKFI.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Ji-Man Choi (26) reacts to striking out in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JXU4HV3LCBGSHCARINVYHZ6CXU.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Javy Guerra (65) pitches in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MCT2YK2FENBS3C3S2ZE3YOVHMA.JPG "Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PAM33XFU2FAQHFEFSOEHMBKNNA.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) gets a safe call by umpire Angel Hernandez (5) after sliding into home plate to score a run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GA4RIJDWT5AWBIGTZMKTEEOQ2Y.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (48) pitches in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FB7F377A4BA4ZH5J7RS4WZUA7M.JPG "Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) extends his glove as Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) slides into home plate to score a run in the first inning at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WIBR4QRGPFFHLOVP4OBV2HTC7I.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) slides into home plate to score a run in the first inning as Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) attempts to tag him out at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LQZ4J6HSKVEK5MIHYOLBLJBY5I.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (5) connects for a sacrifice flyout in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Rays center fielder Jose Siri (22) scored a run.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MNM3MQKNFJBB5KOWSH2SM6LVBY.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays first base coach Chris Prieto (31) high fives shortstop Wander Franco (5) after his single in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/O476SC5AWZBYXMQBVIJQTRI5AM.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (21) shares a moment with starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (48) as he takes the mound during a pitching change in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/67RWMXU25BBWVIBYYOFJ3W7POQ.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays left fielder David Peralta (6) watches ball after hitting a sacrifice fly in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) scores a run.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/L2P2G4QZ2BE3VJBLFX6GX4HKWI.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong (64) pitches in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OAVUFWQ37NBBVPMQCW7XOZJVZU.JPG "Tampa Bay Rays Jonathan Aranda (62) hits during batting practice ahead of a game against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, September 17, 2022.")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/3611448e-d873-4fba-8983-fbd254e49fbd.png "Ivy Ceballo - Photographer")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/j2mA4wB3gpURp751XQAbMwyJyB4=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DTOMASXDPNCZNG3RYJHV7MODFM.JPG "Homers, bubble gum showers, parties: Revisiting Rays’ 11 walkoff wins")
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/www.tampabay.com/resizer/YmK2YjwtJUgco1U_0iZAGuNLqvk=/1200x675/filters:focal(1525x715:1535x705)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/N6PXQNTDURBFHDL2U4UNSTYLT4.jpg "Rays lose to Blue Jays, but that’s not the worst news")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/0JuYWAQZypLIb0Cfv2GCBUpXOF0=/1200x675/filters:focal(1135x555:1145x545)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WIHSHOKOD5AMBEPNIDL4MITZVQ.JPG "Rays’ Isaac Paredes relieved to hit 30th home run, targets 100 RBIs")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/4eci0LY4h-KkavBun7Vm_aLm2PE=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/JFDB5PP7JBGFXC6PXEUJSRHOLM.JPG "What are the best/worst matchups for Rays in Wild Card Series?")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/Tt5OqpsisJSX0O_iJRwfMxd4-Rg=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/B4HWVJBESNGLZIIXWSQFD7IAFY.JPG "Rays take a step back with loss to Blue Jays")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/HwjO41l6xfBSwsxFscOMZJ-Bu9w=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QZFNT47JBVA2ZO6Y6EMQE6ICYE.jpg "Early lead gets away, then Rays walk it off in 9th on Josh Lowe hit")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/0MJjBNLGB3lHMlADh6Kn1F-TSNQ=/1200x675/filters:focal(1915x965:1925x955)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DKDFEFEQDVBCBKPQBWLTE77BLI.jpg "Rays are calling up top prospect Junior Caminero")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/Wys7ukeoz9K_SVzfovhy2q3YjmI=/1200x675/filters:focal(1465x775:1475x765)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/43JPIOQRYNBHFEYNXPBV4LHQBM.jpg "Rays’ Tyler Glasnow loses command, control down the stretch")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/049zZm3nhfElIn37ucJEsWjIk7w=/1200x675/filters:focal(2005x1085:2015x1075)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RXUVF5JEGNG2BP2FNEWV4DM57U.jpg "With Rays’ Jose Siri recovering, Manuel Margot has stepped up in center")