DENVER — Catcher Liam Hicks, acquired from the Marlins just a day earlier, became the first player in Tampa Bay Rays franchise history to hit a grand slam in his team debut, powering the American League-leading club to a 9-7, 11-inning victory over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night at Coors Field.
Batting cleanup, Hicks turned on a fastball from Rockies starter Gabriel Hughes with the bases loaded in the third inning and launched it a Statcast-projected 402 feet to right field — the Rays’ first grand slam of the season. “I mean, it went pretty well, yeah,” Hicks said, grinning. “Not exactly how I probably drew it up, but I mean, I’m really happy with how it went and excited we got the win.”
Hicks said the moment brought more relief than euphoria. “Just relieved,” he said. “You feel the pressure, even though you’re not trying to put pressure on yourself first game, but it’s really nice to get that one out of the way and just kind of be able to breathe a little bit.”
The grand slam staked Tampa Bay to a 5-1 lead, but starter Freddy Peralta — also making his Rays debut after being dealt from the Mets — gave up seven runs on nine hits, including two homers, in 3 2/3 innings. Peralta left the game in line for a loss but expressed no discouragement. “I know that this is a new opportunity, and people have been helping me really well here,” Peralta said. “I know I’m gonna get better, because we’re gonna work for that.”
The Rays’ bullpen rescued Peralta’s outing in spectacular fashion. Six relievers combined for 7 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits — a remarkable feat at altitude-boosted Coors Field. Cam Booser, Casey Legumina, Steven Matz, Kevin Kelly and Garrett Cleavinger held the line before Bryan Baker retired all three batters he faced in the 11th to record his Major League-leading 32nd save. “It’s impressive,” shortstop Taylor Walls said of the bullpen. “They came up huge when we really needed them.”
Tampa Bay tied the game in the ninth on a two-run single by Jonathan Aranda, then scratched across two runs in the 11th on a sacrifice bunt by Walls, a wild pitch and hits from Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero.
Baker said Hicks’ work behind the plate impressed him as much as the grand slam. “The way he navigated that was pretty awesome,” Baker said. “I gave him props for the homer, but I told him the catching was what did it for me today. It was a great debut.” Manager Kevin Cash agreed: “I don’t know if you can make a better one. He made a really good first impression. You don’t get a second chance at it, so good for him.”