2024 Sunburst Awards: Pittsburgh Pirates games 76-78
The Rays are getting hot!!
“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 25th series of the season, where the Tampa Bay Rays took on the Pittsburgh Pirates from June 21 to June 23, a three game series at PNC Park.
Huge shoutout to Darby Robinson for guest hosting last week as the Rays got hot and took two out of three from Minnesota. It’s good to be back to host another series win where the Rays took two from the Pirates. Let’s get to some Sunbursts!!
Game 1: Rays - 10 Pirates - 3 (recap)
Game 2: Rays - 3 Pirates - 4 (recap)
Game 3: Rays - 3 Pirates - 1 (recap)
Offensive Sunburst Award: Josh Lowe
Lowe was on fire this weekend in Pittsburgh, dishing out two home runs, six hits, three runs, five RBI, and two walks.
Both of those home runs came in the clobbering that was game one of this series.
Lowe now has three home runs and seven RBI in his last five games, heating up drastically compared to his previous numbers.
Pitching Sunburst Award: Garrett Cleavinger
Cleavinger wins his second Sunburst of the year with two dominant performances on the mound on Saturday and Sunday, doing his job and helping the Rays get to a series win.
Cleavinger totaled 2 1⁄3 innings across those two games, not allowing a single baserunner and striking out two batters in the process.
Defensive Sunburst Award: Jose Siri
My oh my what a performance in center from Siri, with highlights just about everywhere you look. Here’s a cool running catch from Sunday’s game.
Siri now has a staggering 13 Sunbursts, almost doubling the next best on the Rays. Here’s a home run robbery to secure a win on Friday
Siri also now has six Sunbursts in just the defensive category. Only one player (Richie Palacios) has more total awards than that. Here’s another awesome running catch from Friday’s game.
Highlight Sunburst Award: BICEP BENNY
Rortvedt put his power on display on Friday, sealing a fun Rays win with a towering three-run home run to left field.
Conclusion
The Rays are in winning form lately, now having won five of their last seven and winning back-to-back series. They will look to continue this flow back home where they take on the Mariners from Monday to Wednesday, with the series kicking off at 6:50.