Rays’ Momentum Vanishes in Detroit Dud as Tigers Roll 5-1

From High to Hiccup: Rays Crash Hard Against Tigers After Sunday Surge

You’d think Sunday’s thrilling win over the Minnesota Twins would light a fire under the Tampa Bay Rays. That victory had fans buzzing, spirits high, and the clubhouse feeling energized. But all that mojo? Poof. Gone by the first pitch on Monday night in Detroit.

The Rays opened their series against the major-league-leading Detroit Tigers hoping to ride the wave of momentum, but instead, they were steamrolled 5-1. Monday’s game felt more like a bad flashback than a continuation of something special.

⚠️ A Rough Night for Baz

The night didn’t start off terribly, but it quickly went south in the second inning. Starter Shane Baz made a costly mistake, leaving an 0-2 pitch hanging over the plate that Javier Baez crushed for a two-run homer. Just like that, Tampa was down 2-0, and the Tigers never looked back.

Baz, to his credit, kept battling. He finished six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Not a horrible line, but not the shutdown performance the Rays desperately needed. His record now stands at 8-4, and his ERA ticked up to 4.34.

🌪️ Rays Offense… or Lack Thereof

The Rays tried to answer back in the third. Taylor Walls drew a one-out walk, Danny Jansen followed with a single, and All-Star Jonathan Aranda knocked in a run with a two-out hit. It looked like they might be cooking.

But cue Zach McKinstry’s heroics. The Tigers' right fielder fired a rocket to third base that nailed Jansen trying to advance. Threat over. Momentum, gone.

That single run was all Tampa Bay could muster. The offense produced just five hits all night against Keider Montero — a righty just recalled from Triple-A Toledo — and three Tigers relievers. The Rays simply couldn’t solve Detroit’s pitching puzzle.

💣 Boom, Boom — There Goes the Game

If Tampa had any shot at mounting a late comeback, Paul Gervase squashed that hope in the seventh. He served up back-to-back homers to Colt Keith and, yes, McKinstry again, blowing the game wide open at 5-1. It was a three-batter span that turned a manageable game into a near-certain loss.

😬 Close Call in the Eighth

There was one heart-stopping moment — and not in a good way — in the eighth inning. Rays third baseman Junior Caminero went chasing after a foul ball, caught it for a split second, then lost it while crashing over the railing and tumbling into the stands. Thankfully, Caminero was checked out and stayed in the game, but it was a scary moment that could’ve added injury to insult.

🧾 On the Schedule: What's Next?

The Rays don’t have time to dwell. They're still in the thick of a road trip with more games looming. Here's what’s coming up:

📍 Tuesday at Tigers — 6:40 p.m. ET, Comerica Park
Pitching matchup:

• Rays: RH Ryan Pepiot (6-6, 3.34 ERA)

• Tigers: RH Jack Flaherty (5-9, 4.84 ERA)

📍 Wednesday at Tigers — 1:10 p.m.

• Rays: RH Zack Littell (7-7, 3.50 ERA)

• Tigers: RH Reese Olson (4-3, 2.89 ERA)

📍 Thursday at Red Sox — 7:10 p.m.

• Rays: RH Taj Bradley (5-6, 4.79 ERA)

• Red Sox: TBA

📍 Friday at Red Sox — 7:10 p.m.

• Rays: RH Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.82 ERA)

• Red Sox: TBA

📍 Saturday at Red Sox — 4:10 p.m.

• Rays: RH Shane Baz (8-3, 4.33 ERA)

• Red Sox: TBA

📍 Sunday at Red Sox — 1:35 p.m.

• Rays: RH Ryan Pepiot (6-6, 3.34 ERA)

• Red Sox: TBA

🛑 July 14-17: All-Star Break — Much needed, you could say.

📉 Rays Trending in the Wrong Direction

Let’s not sugarcoat it — the Rays have now lost 7 of their last 10. Their record has dipped to 49-42, and they’re losing ground in the AL Wild Card race. The offense, which has shown flashes of life, keeps getting stuck in neutral. Meanwhile, the pitching staff is doing just enough to keep games within reach but not enough to secure wins.

Monday's dud in Detroit was a reminder that momentum means nothing unless you can back it up. Sure, Sunday was thrilling. But in baseball, every day starts with a clean slate — and the Rays came out flat.

🔍 What Needs to Change?

Here's what the Rays need to tighten up if they want to salvage this road trip:

• Better situational hitting – That third-inning run was nice, but the inning could’ve been bigger with smarter baserunning.

• Stronger bullpen outings – Gervase getting tagged for two late homers was a backbreaker.

• Consistent starting pitching – Baz was solid but not spectacular. The team needs shutdown innings early to set the tone.

🧨 Key Takeaways

• Shane Baz made a critical mistake early that changed the game’s momentum.

• The Rays' offense looked sluggish and uninspired.

• Detroit’s McKinstry had a standout game both at the plate and in the field.

• Tampa Bay’s momentum from Sunday evaporated quickly — and that should be concerning.

• Caminero’s tumble into the stands was a scary but ultimately harmless moment.