The primary MLB regular-season recreation performed in Tampa, Florida undoubtedly had its fireworks, after which some.
Within the conventional pomp and circumstance of Opening Day, saxophonist BK Jackson carried out the nationwide anthem, accompanied by the MacDill Air Power Base shade guard and flyover, the primary in group historical past.
Colorado would strike first, as Ezequiel Tovar doubled within the first run of the season off of Ryan Pepiot within the high of the third.
Within the high of the fourth, Kyle Farmer delivered a sacrifice fly to increase the Rockies result in 2.
Within the backside of the fifth, Josh Lowe singled and exited the sport with left indirect discomfort.
Pepiot had a stellar outing on the day, going six innings and giving up one earned run and placing out eight.
On the flip facet of issues, left handed Kyle Freeland allowed solely two hits over six frames whereas placing out seven.
From there, the Rockies’ bullpen gave glimpses of what they did final yr in having the league’s highest ERA, because the the Rays instantly tied the ballgame.
Jonathan Aranda hit a sacrifice fly, and Jose Caballero singled to knot the sport at two.
The Rays bullpen would go on to close the door, with Hunter Bigge, Mason Montgomery, and Pete Fairbanks ship shutout innings within the seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.
Within the high half of the eighth, Kameron Misner changed Jose Caballero as a defensive alternative.
And within the backside of the ninth, Misner grew to become the primary participant in MLB historical past to hit a walk-off house run on Opening Day for his first house run, in accordance with OptaStats.
The 351-foot blast was deposited into the proper area stands, and despatched the sold-out crowd of 10,046 right into a frenzy at Steinbrenner Discipline.