Randy Arozarena set an MLB record with a first-inning home run, then bookended that home run with a clutch hit in extra innings for a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox.
Arozarena’s two-run homer off White Sox ace Dylan Cease staked the Rays to an early lead. With that home run, the Rays have now homered in 21 straight games to start the season, setting an all-time MLB record. They had been tied with the 2019 Seattle Mariners for the mark.
The Rays set an MLB record by homering in 21 straight games to begin the season! ⚾️💣pic.twitter.com/pLphSKsooB
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 22, 2023
Arozarena then gave fans at Tropicana Field the perfect ending to the afternoon, with a line drive single to score Vidal Brujan and give the Rays a 4-3 victory in 10 innings.
Randy Arozarena and the scorching hot Rays walk it off! ⚾️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/XHz5gdUpGn
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 22, 2023
Every day seems to bring a new milestone for the red-hot Rays. Some of those marks date back decades. With Saturday’s win, the Rays are now 18-3, tied for the second-best start in MLB’s modern era through 21 games.
The Rays are also off the charts in the home run department. Tampa Bay had hit 45 home runs through their first 20 games, the second-highest in history behind the 2000 St. Louis Cardinals, who hit 47.
Fans have been talking about the Rays for weeks now. Saturday just gave them another opportunity to chime in.
Who walks their way into having to face Arozarena?! @RaysBaseball is 18-3, 12-0 at home, 21 straight games with a HR to start the season (1st in MLB history), back to back walk off wins…let the haters keep telling you the Braves are the best team in MLB… #RaysUp
— ConesHighWaterPants (David Michigan’s Speedo) (@ConesHighWaters) April 22, 2023
The Rays just set a MLB record by hitting a home run in their first 21 games to start the season!
And of course it was Randy. Who else??? pic.twitter.com/K5tL6Vo6zm
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) April 22, 2023
And with that your Tampa Bay Rays now hold the record for most consecutive games with a home run to start a season at 21 ✨ pic.twitter.com/xmK0vhWc1U
— liz ✨ (@lizaboth) April 22, 2023
Trop’s looking a little fuller these days 🫡
— The Fish Army (@FishArmy305) April 22, 2023
Congrats #Rays, 21 straight games with a home run to begin the season. A new MLB record. The 2002 Texas Rangers had a 27-game streak. So, why not?
— Dan Lucas (@WFLADan) April 22, 2023
I have started believing on the rays, a little bit
— drip LeMahieu (@djLeMahieuRBW) April 22, 2023
THIS TEAM IS SO GOOD
— Nic Kobold (@nicthederg) April 22, 2023
[MLB.com; Photo credit: Fox Sports]