Rays Edge Diamondbacks in 12-Inning Thriller

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In a dramatic conclusion to their three-game series, the Tampa Bay Rays edged out the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-7 in 12 innings on Sunday, overcoming a six-run lead that they had initially built. Dylan Carlson delivered the decisive blow with an RBI single, bringing home automatic runner Alex Jackson after a sacrifice bunt by Jonny DeLuca and a walk to Taylor Walls set the stage for the victory. The game saw a tense moment in the 11th inning when Diamondbacks pitcher Justin Martinez managed to escape a bases-loaded, no-out situation, showcasing his resilience despite the eventual loss. Edwin Uceta earned his first major league win, striking out two batters in a scoreless inning, while both teams exchanged runs in the 10th, with Walls and Arizona’s Joc Pederson each contributing a run-scoring single. The Rays' pitching staff, led by Drew Rasmussen and Tyler Alexander, nearly achieved a no-hitter until Corbin Carroll broke through in the seventh inning. However, the game took a turn when Adrian Del Castillo tied the score with a three-run homer off closer Pete Fairbanks in the ninth, intensifying the competition. In a concerning moment for the Diamondbacks, star player Ketel Marte appeared to reinjure his left ankle during a pinch-hitting appearance, requiring assistance to leave the field. Despite the setback, Arizona remains in a strong position, holding a wild-card spot in the National League with a record of 30-13 since a previous stretch.