Jake Mangum's first 4 big-league hits lift Rays over Pirates

Field Level Media|published: Mon 31st March, 22:02 2025

Mar 31, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) throws a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Rookie outfielder Jake Mangum went 4-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two stolen bases in a career-best performance, propelling the host Tampa Bay Rays past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 on Monday.

The Southeastern Conference's all-time hits leader while playing at Mississippi State, Mangum set numerous career firsts in his second-ever game -- first hit, double, run, RBI, and stolen base.

In Tampa Bay's 10-hit attack, Jonathan Aranda was 2-for-3 with a double, a run and a walk as the Rays won for the third time in four games.

Rays starter Drew Rasmussen (1-0) was dominant in his first start of the season, facing only 17 batters in five shutout innings. The right-hander allowed two hits and no walks while striking out four.

Adam Frazier had an RBI single as one of Pittsburgh's four hits. Endy Rodriguez doubled and scored, but Pittsburgh took its fourth loss in five games.

Converted reliever Carmen Mlodzinski (0-1) had difficulties in the Rays' four-run fourth. He wound up going 3 2/3 innings and surrendering four runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts.

In Tampa Bay's first night game at Steinbrenner Field, Pittsburgh's Oneil Cruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each had a single and swiped a base over the first three innings, but Rasmussen pitched out of the jams.

In the home third, Mangum grounded a single to center for his first major league hit then notched his first career steal. However, Mlodzinski retired Yandy Diaz on a groundout and Brandon Lowe on a swinging third strike.

The Rays got to the hard-throwing Mlodzinski with four consecutive hits in the fourth.

After Junior Caminero opened with a single and was doubled to third by Aranda, Christopher Morel produced an RBI single before Kameron Misner's two-bagger plated Aranda.

With runners on second and third and one out, Mangum grounded a single past a drawn-in infield for two RBIs and a 4-0 lead.

In the sixth, Jose Caballero doubled in Mangum.

The Pirates got an RBI single from Frazier in the eighth, knocking in Rodriguez.

Diaz's eight-inning sacrifice fly completed the scoring.

--Field Level Media

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