Rays Rally Past Pirates 8-7 in Thrilling April 18 Win

In a wild MLB night between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cedric Mullins delivered the late fireworks you’d hope for in a high-stakes showdown. The Rays erased an early deficit, survived a marathon rain delay, and prevailed 8-7 in 13 innings.

Mullins launched a game-defining two-run homer to right, cashing in the automatic runner that started the 13th inning. He’d already chipped in a go-ahead single in the fifth, showing off his readiness after signing with Tampa Bay in the offseason.

Late-inning drama reshapes the Rays-Pirates showdown

Two and a half hours of rain halted play with Pittsburgh up 4-0. Both teams had to reset and regroup after the delay.

Tampa Bay came out swinging, exploding for five runs in the fifth to take a 5-4 lead. The rally featured Junior Caminero with a key double and Jonathan Aranda knocking in a run, while Jonny DeLuca added a clutch two-run pinch-hit single.

Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ prized rookie, tossed four scoreless innings on bobblehead day and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second. Rays lefty Drew Rasmussen gave up solo shots to Ryan O’Hearn in the first and Marcell Ozuna in the fourth, but the Rays bullpen kept things close as the game dragged on.

Mullins lifts Rays with clutch hits

Late-game drama really started to build as Mullins kept the Pirates guessing at the plate. He came through with a go-ahead single in the fifth, giving Tampa Bay its first lead and setting up a wild finish.

Then, in the 13th, Mullins opened the frame with a two-run homer to right, bringing home the automatic runner, Jonny DeLuca, and sealing an 8-7 Rays win in extras. The Rays’ offense kept pressing, with timely hits and aggressive base running making things tense all the way through.

Notable moments on both sides

In the 11th, both teams managed to score in a frantic push to end the game before even deeper extras. Tampa Bay took advantage of a wild pickoff throw by Yohan Ramirez, letting Taylor Walls score from third and tying it at 6-6.

Pittsburgh answered when Konnor Griffin drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, keeping the visitors in it. The 13th inning turned everything around: Ramirez faced Mullins with the game hanging in the balance, and Mullins broke the tie with that two-run shot.

Yoendrys Gomez then worked around two runners to shut the door, locking up the win for Tampa Bay as Pittsburgh stumbled in the late innings.

Penalties, numbers, and pitching notes

Griffin Jax pitched a clean 12th for the Rays, teeing things up for Mullins’ heroics. Ramirez (2-1) took the loss despite a strong showing from the Rays’ bullpen after Rasmussen’s early homers.

The box score also highlighted Shane McClanahan as the scheduled Rays starter for the series finale against Mitch Keller. That’s a matchup worth watching to close out the set.

What to watch in the series finale

The Rays just pulled even in the season series and showed some real resilience in a game that seriously tested everyone’s patience. Tampa Bay fans have every reason to expect a wild, power-packed finish.

You’re getting McClanahan versus Keller—two guys who bring elite velocity and nasty breaking balls. Could we see more late-inning drama, maybe even something that tops this 8-7, 13-inning rollercoaster?

If you’re into fantasy or just love a good storyline, keep an eye on Mullins in those late moments. Tampa Bay wants to ride this momentum into the next series, and you can feel the energy building.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Rays 8-7 Pirates (Apr 18, 2026) Game Recap