Trade acquisition Christopher Morel hit a home run in his first game with Tampa Bay, helping the Rays rally to defeat the Miami Marlins 9-3 on Tuesday night.
Ben Rortvedt and Yandy Diaz each had two-run singles off reliever Declan Cronin (2-3) during a five-run sixth inning, giving the Rays a 6-3 lead. Jose Caballero also hit an RBI double and scored on a balk while trying to steal home, further extending the lead in the seventh.
Morel, who was acquired on Sunday in a trade that sent All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes to Chicago, hit a home run to left-center field off Marlins starter Edward Cabrera in the fourth inning. This trade was part of several moves the Rays made recently to improve their future prospects.
“We know he’s got a lot of power,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He was fun to be around today. The hitting was great, but also his presence in the dugout—vocal, smiling, kind of what we had heard about him.”
This home run was Morel’s 19th of the season.
With three consecutive wins, Tampa Bay (55-52) moved three games above .500 for the first time in two months and is now in the race for a wild-card playoff spot.
The Marlins (39-68) also made trades before the deadline, including sending third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the New York Yankees last week and trading infielder Josh Bell and pitchers Tanner Scott, Trevor Rogers, and JT Chargois in deals on Tuesday.
Left-hander Jeffrey Springs made his first start for the Rays since April 2023 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He allowed a two-run homer to Emmanuel Rivera in the first inning and gave up six hits while striking out three in 3 2/3 innings.
“Wish I could have pitched better, obviously, but I’m trying to look at the bigger picture,” Springs said.
“He’s known to be hard on himself,” Cash said. “But hopefully he can find some positives in being back on the mound and helping us win.”
Jake Burger hit a solo homer off Tyler Alexander (4-3) to give the Marlins a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning. Cabrera left the game with a knee injury after allowing two runs and three hits in five-plus innings.
