With a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning against the Yankees, the Rays brought in lefty reliever Jonny Venters to face Greg Bird. This all makes sense as Bird struggles mightily against left-handed pitching. What comes next is where the story really starts.
Venters replaced Forever Giant Sergio Romo on the mound after Romo faced Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres in the eighth. Except instead of walking back to the dugout, Romo stopped at third base. Literally.
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Romo replaced fellow Forever Giant Matt Duffy at third base and Duffy slid over to shortstop. After Venters got Bird to ground out, Romo was then back on the mound with Duffy going back to third base.
Once he was back on the bump, Romo made the final two outs of the game and earned his 12th save of the season.
Stay weird, Rays.