Junior Caminero’s Second Career Grand Slam Leads Rays to 7-2 Victory After Rain Delay
In a game that was delayed for 4 hours and 25 minutes due to rain, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays hit his second career grand slam to secure a 7-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. The game, which took place at George M. Steinbrenner Field, saw a significantly reduced crowd of 8,809 after the lengthy delay.
The Rays (63-67) were able to take two out of three games in the series and maintain a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Cardinals (64-67) finished their trip to Miami and Tampa with a 3-3 record.
Former Rays prospect Matthew Liberatore started on the mound for the Cardinals and struggled in the fifth inning, walking Josh Lowe and Carson Williams to set up Caminero’s grand slam. This was a major turning point in the game and ultimately led to the Rays’ victory.
Tampa Bay Rays Defeat St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 After Rain Delay and Grand Slam by Junior Caminero
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – The Tampa Bay Rays came out on top with a 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, thanks to a grand slam by Junior Caminero. The game was delayed for 4 hours and 25 minutes due to rain, but that didn’t stop the Rays from taking two out of three games in the series.
The Rays (63-67) have been playing consistently, with a record of 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Cardinals (64-67) finished their trip to Miami and Tampa with a record of 3-3.
The Cardinals’ starting pitcher, Matthew Liberatore, who was once a Rays prospect, struggled in the fifth inning. He walked Josh Lowe and Carson Williams, and after getting one out, he walked Chandler Simpson, loading the bases and ending his outing.
Matt Svanson came in to pitch and on his first pitch, Caminero hit a 381-foot grand slam to right field. This was Caminero’s 37th home run of the year, breaking Alex Rodriguez’s record for the most home runs in one season by an American League player 21 or younger. Simpson also had a strong performance, hitting a two-run triple in the sixth inning to extend the Rays’ lead to 7-0.
Christopher Morel got the Rays going with his 10th home run in the fourth inning.
Liberatore (6-11) was charged with four runs on three hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. Ryan Pepiot (9-10) earned the win for Tampa Bay, throwing five scoreless innings while allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts.
Key Moment
During the rain delay, the Cardinals had to scratch shortstop Masyn Winn from the lineup due to left knee pain that has been bothering him for weeks.
Key Stat
The Rays have a record of 50-33 when Caminero gets a hit, but only 9-32 when he goes hitless.
Up Next
The Cardinals will return home to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Michael McGreevy (5-2, 4.42 ERA) on the mound for St. Louis. The Rays will head to Cleveland, with Ian Seymour (1-0, 3.86 ERA) scheduled to make his first major league start.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2025 KY3. All rights reserved.
