Steven Souza Jr. Grand Slam among Rays’ 5 Homers at Tigers

Steven Souza Jr. #20 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a third inning grand slam during the game against the Detroit Tigers on June 18, 2017 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.

(June 18, 2017 - Source: Leon Halip/Getty Images North America)

RF Steven Souza Jr. hits a grand slam as the Tampa Bay Rays (37-35) amass five home runs in their 9-1 win at the Detroit Tigers (32-36)

The Rays struck first in the opening inning. With one out LF Corey Dickerson reached on an infield single but became the second out when 3B Evan Longoria hit into fielder’s choice. 1B Logan Morrison homered next and put Tampa Bay up 2-0. It was his 20th home run of the season.

The Tigers halved the deficit in the bottom of the frame. DH Alex Avila hit a one-out single and 1B Miguel Cabrera walked. LF Justin Upton singled with one out and drove in Alex Avila for Detroit’s only run of the game.

Tampa Bay’s SP Jacob Faria ran his pitch count up to 28 in order to record his first three outs.

The Rays pulled away in the third inning. C Derek Norris led off with a home run to give Tampa Bay a 3-1 lead. With one out the Rays then went on to load the bases with a single from Corey Dickerson, Evan Longoria was hit by a pitch and Logan Morrison drew a walk. Steven Souza Jr. followed with a grand slam to put Tampa Bay up 7-1. It was his 13th long ball of the year.

Detroit’s SP Buck Farmer (2-1) was relieved after 2.1 innings. He surrendered 5 hits, 1 walk and 7 earned runs while striking out 2. His ERA and WHIP shot up to 6.61 and 1.36, respectively.

The Rays extended their lead in the seventh with back-to-back one-out home runs from Evan Longoria (10th of the season) and Logan Morrison’s (21) second of the game.

Jacob Faria (3-0) went 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 walk and 1 earned run while fanning 9. He now has a 1.37 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP on the year.

Logan Morrison went 2-for-4 with 3 runs, 2 HR and 3 RBI. He is batting .245 and has 40 runs, 21 HR and 47 RBI.

The Tampa Bay Rays return home to host a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds (29-39) from Monday to Wednesday.

The Detroit Tigers go on the road to play a four-game series at the Seattle Mariners (33-37) from Monday through Thursday.