Junior Caminero's Grand Slam Lifts Tampa Bay Rays Over St. Louis Cardinals After Rain Delay – Game Recap & Highlights (August 24, 2025)

Sunday, August 24th, 2025

Tampa Bay Rays Defeat St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 Behind Junior Caminero’s Grand Slam

The Tampa Bay Rays secured a commanding 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in a memorable MLB showdown at George M. Steinbrenner Field, highlighted by Junior Caminero’s powerful grand slam. The game was marked by a significant 4-hour, 25-minute rain delay that thinned out the announced crowd of 8,809 but did not dampen the Rays’ momentum.

Game Recap

The Rays (63-67) emerged strong from the rain delay, clinching two out of three games in the series and moving to a 5-5 record over their last 10 matchups. The Cardinals (64-67) concluded their road trip with a 3-3 record after facing Miami and Tampa Bay.

St. Louis starter Matthew Liberatore, a former Rays prospect, opened the fifth inning by walking Josh Lowe and Carson Williams. With one out and another walk to Chandler Simpson, Liberatore exited the game, leaving the bases loaded. Reliever Matt Svanson stepped in but was greeted immediately by Caminero, who launched a 381-foot grand slam into right field on Svanson's very first pitch.

This home run marked Caminero’s 37th of the season, surpassing Alex Rodriguez for the single-season record by an American League player age 21 or younger. Simpson continued his stellar rookie campaign with a two-run triple in the sixth, pushing Tampa Bay’s lead to 7-0.

Christopher Morel jumpstarted the Rays’ offense with his 10th home run in the fourth inning.

Pitching Performances

Liberatore (6-11) was charged with four runs on three hits and three walks across 4 2/3 innings. Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot (9-10) delivered a strong outing, earning the win with five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk, and striking out three batters.

Key Game Moments

A pivotal point during the extended rain delay was the Cardinals' decision to scratch shortstop Masyn Winn from the lineup due to persistent left knee pain.

Stat of the Game

The Rays are now 50-33 when Caminero records a hit, but drop to a 9-32 record in games where he goes hitless, underscoring his critical value to the team’s offense.

Looking Ahead

The Cardinals head home for a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with Michael McGreevy (5-2, 4.42 ERA) set to take the mound. The Rays travel to Cleveland, where Ian Seymour (1-0, 3.86 ERA) is slated to make his first major league start.

In summary

The Tampa Bay Rays triumphed over the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2, fueled by a historic grand slam from Junior Caminero. After a lengthy rain delay, the Rays' offense ignited, while Chandler Simpson continued to impress in his rookie year. This key victory keeps Tampa Bay competitive in the standings as both teams look ahead to their next series. For fans following MLB trends, Caminero’s impact and the Rays’ ability to capitalize on momentum were the defining factors in this matchup.

MLB Schedules

Today's MLB Games

There are no baseball games today.

Tomorrow's MLB Games

There are no baseball games tomorrow.

Yesterday's MLB Games

There were no baseball games yesterday.