Rays host Red Sox and Yankees in final homestand

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field tomorrow to conclude their 2019 regular-season home schedule with a six-game homestand against the Boston Red Sox (September 20-23) and New York Yankees (September 24-25). The 2019 Rays season is presented by Tampa General Hospital.

Friday, September 20 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:40 p.m.
• Roberto Clemente Day: The Rays will hold their Roberto Clemente Day celebration to honor the life and career of the Hall of Famer as part of Hispanic Heritage Month on Friday, September 20. Every year, each MLB club nominates a player to be considered for an award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character. Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier will be honored in a pregame ceremony as the Rays Roberto Clemente Award nominee. As a result of his nomination, Kevin selected the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay as the charity of his choice to receive a $7,500 donation.
• $7.11 Tickets Sold Out: Friday night’s $7.11 Tickets presented by 7-Eleven are sold out. Tickets for the game are still available in other seating areas and may be purchased online at RaysBaseball.com or at the BayCare Box Office at Tropicana Field.
• Roberto Clemente Day Food Drive: To celebrate Roberto Clemente’s philanthropic efforts, a nonperishable food drive benefiting Feeding Tampa Bay will be held. From 3:00–8:00 p.m., fans can drop off nonperishable food donations outside Gates 1, 4 and 6. Requested donation items can be found at RaysBaseball.com/clemente. Fans who donate will receive a complimentary ticket voucher valid for a 2020 regular-season home game.
• The Rays Artist Print Series: In partnership with Creative Pinellas, an arts agency working to facilitate a vibrant and sustainable arts community, the Rays crafted an opportunity for artists in Tampa Bay to design prints that celebrate the hometown baseball team and honor the unique culture of the region. Each artist selected was invited to create a piece that represents her or his own style and interpretation of the Rays brand. The last of seven limited-edition prints will be released on September 20 and can be purchased for $30 at the Rays Republic Team Store. Designed by Tampa Bay graphic artist and Mexico City native Daniel “R5” Barojas, the print features DJ Kitty in an ancestral setting amongst influential pyramids from Mayan and Incan cultures. The design is intended to give tribute to all of the native cultures throughout Latin America and the teachings they offer society. For more information, visit RaysBaseball.com/printseries.
• Bats N’ Brews: The Rays and iHeartMedia Tampa Bay’s “Bats N’ Brews” radio show, presented by Budweiser, airs live from the Budweiser Porch in center field and features Gaby from Rumba 106.5.
• Beer Special: $5 Budweisers on the Budweiser Porch—For all Friday home games, fans 21 and over can head to the Budweiser Porch for $5 Bud and Bud Lights. Please drink responsibly.

Saturday, September 21 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 6:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 4:40 p.m.
• Devil Rays Day: The Rays will wear their Majestic Athletic white alternate throwback Devil Rays jerseys and navy blue New Era retro caps, which debuted during last year’s 20th anniversary celebration season. This will be the last of five dates the Rays wear the throwback jerseys and caps.

Sunday, September 22 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 11:40 a.m.
• Kiermaier’s Kids Presentation: Prior to Sunday’s game, Kevin Kiermaier will present the Children’s Dream Fund with a $25,000 donation in support of his Kiermaier’s Kids program. This season, Kevin and his wife, Marisa, started Kiermaier’s Kids, funding dreams for six children living with life-threatening illnesses. The Kiermaier’s Kids’ dreams included meeting Mickey Mouse, visiting Disney World to meet the princesses, setting sail on a Disney cruise, attending a Queen concert, a full car makeover and a new, fully equipped tool shed.
• For the Kids: Sundays are Family Fun Days, courtesy of Tampa General Hospital. Every Sunday home game will feature free parking for cars with four or more passengers and a variety of postgame activities for kids, including Kids Run the Bases and a DJ Kitty Dance Party. For the sixth consecutive season, concourse activities will be complimentary for kids 14 years and under on Sundays. In addition, two Rays players will sign autographs for kids 14 years and under along the right field stands from 12:00–12:30 p.m.

Monday, September 23 vs. Boston Red Sox

• First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:40 p.m.
• Minor League Award Winners: Prior to the game on Monday, September 23, the Rays will hold a ceremony to recognize the 2019 Rays minor league award winners. The winners will be made up of the Rays Minor League Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Baserunner of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Reliever of the Year, in addition to the Most Valuable Player for each of the Rays nine organizational affiliates. The Rays will also recognize the recipient of the Erik Walker Community Champion Award. Named after former Rays minor league pitcher Erik Walker, who died tragically in 2006 following his first season in professional baseball, the award annually recognizes a Rays minor leaguer who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement. Before the ceremony, the award winners are scheduled to sign autographs at Tropicana Field from 5:45–6:30 p.m. along the right field line.

Tuesday, September 24 vs. New York Yankees

• First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:40 p.m.
• Lowe’s Home Runs for Hope Presentation: Prior to Tuesday’s game, Brandon Lowe will present the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay a donation of $3,200 for his Home Runs for Hope Campaign. For every home run Lowe hit this season, he and his wife, Madison, donated $100 to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The Rays Baseball Foundation also contributed $100 per home run in support of Lowe’s Home Runs for Hope campaign. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay provides a range of programs and services to ensure that no one in the community has to face a crisis alone.
• Tuesday’s Champion: Before every Tuesday home game, the Rays host a youngster from the Make-A-Wish Foundation or Children’s Dream Fund as a part of the “Tuesday’s Champion” program presented by RIPA & Associates. The Rays will host 16-year-old Brandon Martell from the Children’s Dream Fund. As part of his special day as a Tuesday’s Champion, Brandon will meet Rays players and coaches during batting practice and throw a ceremonial first pitch.

Wednesday, September 25 vs. New York Yankees

• First Pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• Gates Open: 5:40 p.m.

Additional Homestand Notes

• “Shirts Off Our Backs” Fundraiser: The annual “Shirts Off Our Backs” fundraiser, hosted by the Rays Baseball Foundation, will take place during the entire homestand. Fans can donate to the Rays Baseball Foundation in exchange for scratch-off cards with the chance to win game-worn Devil Rays jerseys from the September 21 game, tickets to a 2020 Rays home game or other prizes. Fans can purchase one scratch off for $5, 5 for $20, 10 for $30 or 25 for $50. Scratch-off cards will be available in exchange for a donation at the Authentics Store, Gate 1, Gate 3, Gate 6, the Republic Bank Draft Room and from roaming volunteers. For more information, visit RaysBaseball.com/shirts.
• Rays Wives New Era Line: The Rays Wives recently designed and launched a New Era women’s and youth apparel line. A portion of the proceeds from the Rays Wives merchandise benefits the Rays Baseball Foundation, the official charity of the Tampa Bay Rays. In memory of Emily and Cullen Bivens, and Joan Bernard, the family of Montgomery Biscuits pitcher, Blake Bivens, the Rays Baseball Foundation will donate all proceeds from the Rays Wives merchandise to the A21 Campaign, a charity Emily supported, in their mission against human trafficking. To support the A21 Campaign, in honor of the Bivens family, through the purchase of the Rays Wives New Era collection, visit the Rays Republic Team Store at Tropicana Field or place an order via phone by calling 727-342-5731.