It was announced by the team that over $300,000 was raised.
Advertisement
Both teams stood on the field during a moving video tribute and observed a moment of silence before the first pitch while the names of the 49 shooting victims scrolled on the video board.
Forty-nine people were killed at an Orlando night club on Sunday in what was the deadliest mass shooting in modern USA history.
Brandon Crawford and Gregor Blanco had two RBIs apiece and Brandon Belt homered for the NL West-leading Giants, a season-high 16 games over.500. Crawford also provided Samardzija a lead in the first inning when he came through with a two-run, two-strike double off Chris Archer.
Jim Bonner, center, comforts his daughters Lucy, left, and Ella, right, as the victims of the fatal shooting at the Pulse Orlando night club are remembered before a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the San Francisco Giants, Friday, June 17, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. He settled for his sixth complete game, getting Evan Longoria – the last batter that Bruce Bochy would’ve allowed him to face – to ground out on his 115th and final pitch. “I’m glad we were able to have that great of a crowd and the proceeds go to such a great cause”.
“The crowd was big, that’s for sure”, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said.
The announced attendance of 40,135 was the first regular-season turnout over 40,000 at the Rays’ ballpark since opening day in 2006 against Baltimore (40,199). The Rays, who have dropped two straight after winning nine of its previous 11 contests, were shut out for 8 2/3 innings Friday before Brad Miller’s solo homer.
“Orlando is a huge part of baseball’s heart”, Major League Baseball’s vice-president of social responsibility Billy Bean said. “It’s about people feeling connected and supportive”.
Crawford drove in two with a double in the first before Blanco made it 4-0 on a two-run single in the fourth.
Members of the Tampa Bay Rays wear “We Are Orlando” T-shirts as the ballclub honored the victims of the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., on June 12. Brandon Belt leads San Francisco with 65 hits, Denard Span has 24 RBI and Buster Posey has eight home runs. RHP Ryan Garton was optioned to the International League club Thursday. Longtime Tampa Bay framhand Albert Suarez will try to keep things rolling for San Francisco as he gets the start with a well-rested bullpen after Jeff Samardzija’s complete game Friday, and will oppose left-hander Matt Moore.
Advertisement
The outing ended a stretch of four consecutive starts in which he threw at least 110 pitches, which was the longest active streak in the majors and tied with San Francisco’s Johnny Cueto for the longest streak overall this season.
