Rays Victorious in Return to Tropicana Field After Hurricane

Rays defeat Cubs in first home game since roof damage from Hurricane Milton

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:17am

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A dynamic, abstract painting in the style of LeRoy Neiman, featuring bold brushstrokes and neon colors that capture the energy and excitement of the Tampa Bay Rays' return to their home stadium after Hurricane Milton. The painting depicts abstracted baseball players in action, with the iconic Tropicana Field dome structure visible in the background.The Tampa Bay Rays' emotional homecoming to Tropicana Field is captured in a vibrant, expressionist painting celebrating the team's resilience and the fans' unwavering support.St. Petersburg Today

The Tampa Bay Rays returned to their home stadium, Tropicana Field, for the first time since Hurricane Milton tore off part of the roof in 2025. Despite the damage, the Rays defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-2 in front of an enthusiastic crowd that welcomed the team back with cowbells.

Why it matters

The Rays' return to Tropicana Field is a symbolic milestone for the city of St. Petersburg and the team's loyal fanbase, who have endured a challenging year since the hurricane caused significant damage to the stadium. The victory also keeps the Rays in contention in the AL East division race.

The details

Rays pitcher Bryan Baker struck out Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to seal the 5-2 victory, sparking celebration from the home crowd. The Rays had been playing their home games at other stadiums since the hurricane, but were eager to return to their familiar Tropicana Field despite the ongoing repairs.

  • The game took place on April 7, 2026.
  • Hurricane Milton caused significant roof damage to Tropicana Field in 2025.

The players

Bryan Baker

A relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

An outfielder for the Chicago Cubs.

Tampa Bay Rays

A Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Chicago Cubs

A Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois.

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What’s next

The Rays will continue their homestand at Tropicana Field, hosting the Chicago Cubs for a three-game series.

The takeaway

The Rays' return to their home stadium, despite the ongoing repairs from Hurricane Milton, represents the resilience of the team and its fanbase. This victory marks an important step in the team's recovery and their pursuit of a playoff berth.