TAMPA — The buildup and buzz leading to the Rays historic season opener outdoors at Steinbrenner Field on Friday was pretty good.

The game turned out even better.

Down 2-0 and not showing much, the Rays rallied to tie in the seventh inning, then walked off the Rockies when Kameron Misner hit a homer to start the ninth inning.

Misner, who had one hit in eight games for the Rays last season, was only added to the roster Wednesday when Richie Palacios was injured.

Shackled by starter Kyle Freeland, the Rays rallied against the Colorado bullpen for two in the seventh.

The rally started with a Brandon Lowe single and a Junior Caminero double. They got one run on a pinch-hit sac fly by Jonathan Aranda, and the other on a single by Jose Caballero, who replaced Josh Lowe when he left the game with a right oblique issue.

The Rays had a chance for more when Jonny DeLuca singled to load the bases, but Taylor Walls struck out and Curtis Mead grounded into a force out.

Some sloppy play by the Rays led to Colorado’s first two runs.

Jordan Beck reached on a Junior Caminero throwing error in the third, stole second and scored on Ezequiel Tovar’s double.

Michael Toglia was hit by a Ryan Pepiot pitch to start the fourth, moved up on a wild pitch, then a single and scored on a sac fly.

Number of the day

82

Highest temperature for a scheduled Rays home game, in a non-COVID year.

Rays’ Tampa firsts

Rays pitcher Ryan Pepiot gets the opening day start Friday at Steinbrenner Field. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]

Anthem: BK Jackson, on saxophone

Ceremonial pitch: U.S. Rep Kathy Castor

Pitch: Rays’ Ryan Pepiot, a ball to Brenton Doyle

Hit: Yandy Diaz, infield single in fourth off Kyle Freeland

RBI: Jonathan Aranda, sac fly in seventh off Tyler Kinley

Home run: Kameron Misner, walk-off in ninth off Victor Vodnik

Error: Rays’ Junior Caminero, throwing, in third

Saturday: vs. Rockies

4:10, Steinbrenner Field, Tampa

TV/Radio: FanDuel Sports Sun; 95.3 FM/620 AM

Pitchers: Rays — RH Zack Littell (8-10, 3.63 in 2024); Rockies — RH Antonio Senzatela (0-1, 6.57)

Tickets/info: raysbaseball.com

On deck

Sunday: vs. Rockies, 1:40. Rays, RH Taj Bradley (8-11, 4.11); Rockies, RH Ryan Feltner (3-10, 4.49)

Monday: vs. Pirates, 7:05. Rays, RH Drew Rasmussen (0-2, 2.83); Pirates, RH Carmen Mlodzinski (5-5, 3.38)

Tuesday: vs. Pirates, 7:05. Rays, RH Shane Baz (4-3, 3.06); Pirates, RH Paul Skenes (0-0, 3.38 in 2025)

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Wednesday: vs. Pirates, 1:10. Rays, RH Ryan Pepiot (8-8, 3.60); Pirates, RH Mitch Keller (11-12, 4.25 in 2024)

Thursday: Off

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