The Tampa Bay Rays are so good this season that they can go down six runs and have no problem responding with seven straight runs. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. But how the Rays score can catch even the umpires off guard.
Umpire Will Little experienced that first hand on Sunday.
After the Yankees scored the game’s first six runs, the Rays eventually rallied back to take the lead in the sixth inning (before the Yankees tied it once again). But that seventh run really showed the difference between the Rays and Yankees at this point. One team is playing aggressive, heads-up baseball while the Yankees are giving away outs and runs with miscues.
The Rays take the lead as the Yankees didn't notice Jose Siri attempting to score from 2nd on a groundout pic.twitter.com/3qJxhABpTn
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 7, 2023
In the sixth inning, Jose Siri was on second base with Yandy Diaz at the plate. Siri attempted to take third on the pitch as Diaz hit a soft grounder to Yankees reliever Jimmy Cordero. As Cordero fielded the ball and threw to first for the out, he didn’t think to check on Siri at third base. And evidently, Little didn’t expect the Rays center fielder to continue running home either.
Don't worry, both Jose Siri and umpire Will Little were OK! #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/kTvvw5qZaK
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) May 7, 2023
The aggressive running led to Siri scoring from second without a throw. But Little happened to be standing right in his path as he focused on the play at first base, which led to a collision.
Both Little and Siri were OK, and Siri made sure to check on the umpire. That’s a lesson, though: Umpires need to keep their head on a swivel when the Rays are running bases. They’re relentless this season.
