Brett Phillips’ infield hit lifts Rays to 2-1 win over Mariners

Apr 28, 2022, 1:39 PM | Updated: 1:40 pm

Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Manuel Margot has a triple by Seattle Mariners' Eugenio Suarez bounce over his head during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Seattle Mariners pitcher Chris Flexen delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe misplays a pop up by Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez but is able to force Mariners' J.P. Crawford at second base during the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Thompson (81) delivers to the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Brett Phillips, center, celebrates with shortstop Wander Franco, left, and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, right, after the team defeated the Seattle Mariners during a baseball game Thursday, April 28, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brett Phillips bounced a tiebreaking single off pitcher Chris Flexen’s leg in the seventh inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 Thursday.

Rays 2, Mariners 1: Box score

With Harold Ramirez on third base and two out in a 1-1 game, Phillips grounded a comebacker at Flexen (1-3) that caromed off the pitcher’s right leg toward the left side of the infield, which was vacated by a shift. Ramirez scored easily.

J.P. Feyereisen (1-0) got the win after pitching a perfect seventh and eighth.

Ryan Thompson, the Rays’ sixth pitcher of the game, struck out pinch-hitter Tom Murphy with a runner on second to end the game and earn his second save.

Phillips had two hits, drove in both of Tampa Bay’s runs and had a big outfield assist in the ninth inning.

Brett tied the game in the 2nd and now he unties it in the 7th pic.twitter.com/uVFm4Map0L

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 28, 2022

After Adam Frazier’s leadoff single, Eugenio Suárez drove in Seattle’s run with a triple in the first off starter Jeffrey Springs.

Triple Vibes Only 💪 pic.twitter.com/yPhyBmCjkE

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 28, 2022

Flexen gave up two runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out four.

Seattle manager Scott Servais, who had two calls successfully reversed by replay challenges, was ejected by home plate umpire Shane Livensparger after a called third strike on Julio Rodríguez in the sixth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mariners: LHP Marco Gonzales had a normal throwing routine Thursday after being struck on the left wrist by a 109 mph line drive in the first inning Wednesday night. The Mariners have not determined whether Gonzales will make his next start Monday at Houston. … IF Evan White (sports hernia) was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

Rays: C Mike Zunino sat out a second game after straining his left bicep Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Mariners: RHP Matt Brash (1-1, 4.20) will face Marlins RHP Elieser Hernandez (1-1, 5.87) on Friday night in the first of three games at Miami.

Rays: RHP Corey Kluber (0-1, 3.68) will pitch the opener of a three-game home series against the Minnesota Twins and RHP Dylan Bundy (3-0, 0.59) on Friday night.

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