2024 Sunburst Awards: Boston Red Sox games 42-45
Rays advance to 23-22 after four game series at Fenway Park
“Sunburst Awards” is a series-by-series evaluation of player performance, where four different awards are given out after each series: Offensive player of the series, defensive player of the series, pitcher of the series, and highlight play of the series. This edition will be covering the 14th series of the season, where the Tampa Bay Rays took on the New York Yankees from May 13 through May 16, a three game series at Fenway Park.
The Rays head to Fenway for a crucial four game series with an opportunity to move up in the AL East.
Game 1: Rays - 5 Red Sox - 3
Game 2: Rays - 4 Red Sox - 5 (recap)
Game 3: Rays - 4 Red Sox - 3 (recap)
Game 4: Rays - 7 Red Sox - 5 (recap)
Offensive Sunburst Award: Josh Lowe
Lowe had an impressive series at the plate, scoring four runs and batting in three in his three games played. This includes two go-ahead home runs in game two and four of the series.
Lowe also notched two walks in the series for an all around impressive series.
This marks Lowe’s first Sunburst of the year, with him just recently returning to the team in just his ninth game so far.
Pitching Sunburst Award: Garrett Cleavinger
The Rays bullpen was pretty exceptional in this series, securing tight victories all week, however Cleavinger’s appearances were especially impressive, earning him his first Sunburst of the year.
#RaysUp Garrett Cleavinger is locked in.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) May 15, 2024
The reliever made three appearances in this series, where he pitched a total of three shutout innings allowing just two hits and striking out seven in the process.
Cleavinger not only wins his first Sunburst of the year, but becomes just the second non-starter to win a Sunburst behind Pete Fairbanks.
Defensive Sunburst Award: Jose Caballero
Caballero once again put his leather on display in this series, with an array of diving plays and impressive displays of athleticism in the infield.
Stealing hits and diving all over the dirt, Caballero has been impressive all season long, winning April’s Defensive Silver Sunburst Award. This marks the third sunburst of the year for him, trailing only Richie Palacios for the most.
The 27-year-old now becomes the only Ray with six Sunburst Awards.
Highlight Sunburst Award: Amed Rosario
Who doesn’t love a good triple right? It gets the fans excited, and more importantly in this instance, it gets the dugout fired up offensively.
Rosario’s bases-clearing triple in the top of the first inning in game one was the perfect start to an important four game series, giving the Rays an immediate lead and putting them in the driver seat for the rest of the week.
Rosario would have an impressive series at the plate the rest of the series, notching three more hits.
Conclusion
The Rays got a huge 3-1 series win in Fenway to move up to third in the AL East behind the Orioles and Yankees. They’ll get another AL East opponent up next as they head up north to take on the Toronto Blue Jays in a three game series from Friday to Sunday. First pitch tomorrow is set for 7:10.