Ben Zobrist’s two-run homer in 11th lifts Tampa Bay Rays to 3-1 win over Texas Rangers

Go-Go Zorilla!

Ben Zobrist isn’t one to show much emotion on the field during a game.

But Friday night’s 3-1, 11-inning win over the Rangers in front of 19,545 at Tropicana Field was no ordinary night for the Zobrist family. Zobrist’s wife, Christian pop singer Julianna, started it off by singing the national anthem, and he finished it 3 hours, 32 minutes later with the first walkoff homer of his life, a two-run blast with no outs in the 11th.

“That was really exciting,” Zobrist said. “I’m just really happy we all got to experience a really fun night.”

Zobrist exuberantly raised his right arm to the roof as he made the turn at first base and lifted Tampa Bay (76-62) to its fourth win its past five games. The victory also pulled the Rays within one game of Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot and within two games of the East-leading Yankees.

“That may be the first time in major-league baseball history that happens, when the wife sings the anthem and then the husband hits a walkoff homer,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I really, really believe that might be a first.”