Rays Dominate Reds with 4-0 Victory in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays halted the Cincinnati Reds' three-game winning streak with a decisive 4-0 victory on Saturday, fueled by a powerful fifth inning. Alex Jackson and Yandy Díaz delivered back-to-back home runs, contributing to a three-run rally that solidified the Rays' lead. Jackson, who had struggled earlier in the season with a batting average of .100, connected on a 407-foot homer off Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott, marking his third home run of the season. Díaz followed suit, hitting his ninth home run of the year on an 0-2 fastball, showcasing the Rays' offensive prowess. Starting pitcher Zack Littell played a crucial role in the win, delivering a strong performance by allowing only three hits over seven innings, striking out five batters and walking one. This outing marked a turnaround for Littell, who had previously lost his last three starts. The game also featured a controversial moment when a call regarding a player’s safety was overturned after a video review, adding to the tension on the field. Meanwhile, the Reds are dealing with injury updates, as RHP Emilio Pagan is set to throw to hitters on Tuesday following a right lat strain, while RHP Ryan Pepiot is being evaluated after a right knee infection. Looking ahead, the Reds will rely on RHP Hunter Greene, who holds a 7-4 record with a 3.14 ERA, to lead them in the series finale against the Rays on Sunday.