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Kiermaier lifts Rays over Cubs in 10th

Aug 9, 2014 - 3:14 AM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Kevin Kiermaier hit a go-ahead RBI single in the 10th to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs in the first match of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.

After Logan Forsythe flied out to start the frame, Desmond Jennings and Ben Zobrist hit back-to-back singles off Hector Rondon (3-4), putting runners on the corners. Kiermaier's line drive into center field scored Jennings for the game-winning run.

Matt Joyce also had a pinch-hit RBI single, which came in the eighth, and Jennings hit a solo home run in the third, as the Rays won for just the third time in their last eight attempts.

Brad Boxberger (3-1) let in one run in the ninth to blow the save, but struck out two during a perfect 10th inning to pick up the win.

"I'm really proud of our guys for fighting back," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "[Boxberger] was outstanding again. It was just unfortunate, but how about him coming back and getting the thick part of the batting order? Great job."

Ryan Sweeney singled in the Cubs' run in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings. Starlin Castro and John Baker drove in the other two runs for Chicago, which lost for only the fourth time in its last 11 games.

Newly called up Cubs prospect Javier Baez went 1-for-5 with a single and a run scored in his home debut after hitting three home runs in his first three major league games, including a homer in the 12th to lift the Cubs over the Rockies on Tuesday.

The Cubs scored one run in the first to take an early lead. Baez hit a line drive to left for a single, then Anthony Rizzo doubled with a fly ball to right. Castro singled to right, pushing Baez across.

Jennings' leadoff homer in the top of the third tied the game at one run apiece.

Rays starter Chris Archer struck out Luis Valbuena to start the bottom of the fourth, but walked the next batter, Arismendy Alcantara. Archer fielded a ground ball hit by Sweeney, but his throw to second was off the mark. With runners on first and second, Baker hit a line drive to right field that scored Alcantara.

After allowing the home run to Jennings, Tsuyoshi Wada, who started on the mound for the Cubs, retired the next 12 batters before giving up a leadoff triple to Sean Rodriguez in the seventh, ending his night. Brain Schlitter got Yunel Escobar to ground out, then Curt Casali to ground one to short. Castro fielded the ball and threw home, but Rodriguez slid in front of the tag of Baker at the plate for the run, tying the game.

"Wada threw well today," said Cubs manager Rick Renteria. "He deserved a better fate... We almost got through the (seventh inning), but obviously they scored there. He was very effective, he mixed his pitches and he got some big outs when he needed to."

Jennings struck out to start the eighth before Zobrist doubled on a line drive to left, and Joyce's line drive into center field plated Zobrist to put the Rays up 3-2.

Pinch-hitter Justin Ruggiano singled on a ground ball to right field to open the bottom of the ninth, and Alcantara moved him over to second with a sacrifice bunt. Sweeney hit a ground ball past the diving glove of Logan Forsythe at second for a game-tying single.

Game Notes

Castro has 61 RBI on the season ... Schlitter was given a blown save for allowing an inherited run to score in the seventh ... The Rays finished just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base, while the Cubs were 3-for-8 and left six on ... The Rays are 5-6 since going on a season-high nine game winning streak from July 12-26.