- The Marlins took a 4-1 lead after two innings and held that very same lead heading to the bottom of the ninth.
- The Rays cut the deficit to 4-2, but were down to their final out.
- With the bases loaded, Daniel Robertson pinch-hit for Adam Moore and connected on a grand slam, ruining the day for Marlins (+151 and +1.5) and under (8) bettors.
It was looking like a relatively uneventful game in Tampa, where less than 12,000 brave souls went to the Trop to watch the mediocre Rays host Derek Jeter’s terrible — but still better than the Mets — Marlins squad.
The second inning was a spicy one, as the Marlins hopped on the board with four runs and the Rays countered with one of their own. The fans were certainly getting their money’s worth at this point, though it doesn’t exactly take much to get $3 worth of fun.
After that, nothing happened for hours and hours. Surely the only people who stuck it out were either absolutely loaded or parents of children who would throw a fit if they left before the game ended. Little did they know that they were about to witness an ending of epic proportions.
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The score remained 4-1 as the Rays came up to bat in the bottom of the ninth. Three straight hits made the score 4-2, but Marlins closer Kyle Barraclough wasn’t going to lose it that easily. He would lose it, yes, but it would take a bit more effort.
Bear Claw struck out Carlos Gomez and got another out on a fielder’s choice that put runners at the corners with two down. However, he then walked rookie Willy Adames to load the bases. Thirty-four-year-old journeyman catcher Adam Moore and his .540 career OPS were due up, but the Rays wisely decided to pinch-hit for him with Daniel Robertson. You know, because Moore sucks.
Good choice.
Robertson’s grand slam swung the outcomes of the moneyline (obviously), total and even the spread, all on one swing of the bat. All three helped public bettors, too.
- 68% of bets were on the Rays -168
- 70% of bets were on the Over 8
- 74% of bets were on the Rays -1.5 (+125)
The moral of the story: Next time you’re in the Tampa Bay area and deciding on whether to buy a couple McChickens or go to a Rays game, think it over long and good.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports. Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Daniel Robertson (28) celebrates as he hits a walk off grand slam during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field.