Randy and the Rays finally a group effort in World Series

Randy Arozarena was a one-man show getting the Tampa Bay Rays to the World Series. Big swings, bat flips, bustin' moves — he did it all — and his fast hands and fanciful feet didn't need much help capturing an AL pennant.

Winning the Fall Classic, though, that could take an ensemble cast — something Brandon Lowe and the rest of the Rays' lineup finally began to provide Wednesday night.

After being carried through this postseason by its breakout rookie, Tampa Bay's offense turned in a top-to-bottom team effort in a 6-4 Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night that evened the Series at a game apiece.

Lowe homered twice, Joey Wendle drove in three and the Rays combined for 10 hits — their biggest output since closing out the wild-card round against Toronto on Sept. 30.

“I think today was a little bit better indicator of the kind of team that we are,” Wendle said. “Just a complete win, complete team win, everybody contributing at different parts of the game.”

Only one of Wednesday’s hits came from Arozarena, a 25-year-old Cuban who has won over fans this fall by hitting like Barry Bonds during games and dancing like Bruno Mars after.

Arozarena scored 14 runs and drove in 10 through the AL Championship Series, accounting for 42% of Tampa Bay’s 57 runs. His 22 postseason hits are tied with Yankees great Derek Jeter for most by a rookie — a stunning emergence for a player with 24 career hits in the regular season.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Rays combined to bat .179 during the AL Division Series and ALCS.

Lowe’s struggles were the most pronounced — and most surprising.

For a lineup that relies on mixing and matching role players rather than a showy list of stars, Lowe is usually an anchor. Lately, he’s just been dead...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Randy-and-the-Rays-finally-a-group-effort-in-15666306.php