Sweet relief: Rays 11, Cardinals 7
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 29: Chandler Simpson #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays rounds third base on his way to scoring a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning at Busch Stadium on March 29, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Rays escaped from St.
Louis with a win. Although the Rays offensive production was impressive — 11 runs, 17 hits and 4 walks — there was not one minute when this win felt assured. The Rays started out with the lead.
After having been no-hit for six innings yesterday, the Rays were able to put up three runs in the second inning on a combination of hard hit doubles and singles. Chandler Simpson got the inning going with a single, he was driven in by Johnny DeLuca’s double. DeLuca scored on a passed ball, and then Carson Williams (double) and Yandy Diaz (single) combined for another run.
Steve Matz, one-time Mets and Cardinals pitcher signed this winter as a free agent, got the start for the Rays. He was perfect, and impressive, for the first two innings. In the third, he gave up a smashed double (115 mph) double to Jordan Walker.
Walker scored on what was ruled a single with a throwing error, but it was a slightly bloopy softly hit ball that Palacios had trouble handling. He rushed his throw to first and sent it sailing, which allowed Walker to score, making the score 3-1. The top of the fourth inning seemed to go quietly for the Rays, with two quick outs.
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