Mullins' 13th-Inning Homer Lifts Rays Over Pirates in Rain-Soaked Game

Cedric Mullins' two-run blast in the 13th inning proved the difference in the Rays' 8-7 victory over the Pirates.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:34am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dramatic moment of Cedric Mullins' game-winning home run, with the baseball diamond, players, and stadium seating fractured into overlapping abstract shapes and planes of vibrant colors.Cedric Mullins' clutch 13th-inning home run lifts the Rays over the Pirates in a rain-soaked extra-innings thriller.Today in Pittsburgh

In a game delayed for over two hours due to rain, Cedric Mullins hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the 13th inning to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to an 8-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Rays overcame an early 4-0 deficit, scoring five runs in the fifth inning to take the lead before the Pirates tied it in the eighth. Both teams scored in the 11th before Mullins' heroics in the 13th.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Rays in the hunt in the competitive AL East, while the loss is another tough one for the rebuilding Pirates, who have struggled to close out close games this season.

The details

Mullins' blast to right field off Yohan Ramirez scored automatic runner Jonny DeLuca. Mullins entered the day hitting just .129 after signing with Tampa Bay in the offseason as a free agent. The Rays scored five runs in the fifth inning to take a 5-4 lead, with Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda, and pinch-hitter DeLuca driving in runs. The Pirates tied it at 5 in the eighth on rookie Nick Yorke's RBI single. Both teams scored a run in the 11th before Mullins' heroics in the 13th.

  • The first pitch was moved up 30 minutes in hopes that the teams could beat the rain.
  • Play was stopped for 2 hours, 27 minutes, with the Pirates leading 4-0.
  • Rays starter Drew Rasmussen gave up two-run home runs in the first and fourth innings.

The players

Cedric Mullins

A 28-year-old outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays who hit the game-winning two-run home run in the 13th inning.

Yohan Ramirez

The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher who gave up Mullins' 13th-inning home run.

Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates ace pitcher who threw four scoreless innings before the rain delay but did not return after the delay.

Drew Rasmussen

The Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher who gave up two-run home runs in the first and fourth innings.

Nick Yorke

The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie who hit the game-tying RBI single in the eighth inning.

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What they’re saying

“Cedric Mullins' home run was a huge lift for our team. He's been struggling a bit, but that's the kind of clutch hit that can really get him going.”

— Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay Rays Manager

What’s next

The Rays and Pirates will wrap up their series on Sunday, with Tampa Bay's Shane McClanahan facing Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller.

The takeaway

This back-and-forth game highlighted the resilience of both teams, as the Rays rallied from an early 4-0 deficit and the Pirates fought to tie it late, before Mullins' heroics in the 13th inning. The win keeps the Rays in contention in the tough AL East, while the Pirates continue to search for ways to close out close games this season.