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Rays third baseman Mike Brosseau’s major-league debut is memorable

The rookie singles in his first at-bat Sunday and is on the receiving end of a postgame celebration.
 
Tampa Bay Rays' Mike Brosseau runs to first base on his single against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Tampa Bay Rays' Mike Brosseau runs to first base on his single against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Published June 24, 2019|Updated June 24, 2019

OAKLAND, Calif. -- After Mike Brossseau disappeared into the visiting clubhouse following a postgame interview Sunday, the collective roar of players yelling could be heard down the hall.

Brosseau made his major-league debut in Tampa Bay’s 8-2 win over the A’s at Oakland Coliseum. Brosseau started at third and hit fifth. He collected his first major-league hit in his first at-bat, singling to right off A’s left-hander Brett Anderson.

“It was a pretty surreal moment walking up to the plate,” Brosseau said. “It was a 2-1 pitch. I got the jitters going a little bit. Luckily it fell through, it was a big monkey off the back.”

Count manager Kevin Cash among those impressed.

“For him to go up there, stay on a ball, it looked like it was a ball or two off the plate and he stayed on it and smoked it to rightfield,” Cash said.

Brosseau retrieved the baseball from his first hit, and planned to give it to his father when he sees his parents in Minneapolis, the Rays’ next road stop. Rays veteran Charlie Morton presented him with a game ball after the game, but not before his teammates celebrated his day by dousing him with various unnamed liquids.

“A little bit of celebration,” Brosseau said. “They took me into the shower and I don’t know what they dumped on me but it was a good celebration, especially after a team win. Definitely a cool moment.”

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay,com. Follow @EddieInTheYard.