CLEVELAND (AP) — Brandon Lowe homered, Tampa Bay's bullpen held Cleveland to one hit over seven scoreless innings and the Rays snapped a three-game losing streak on a rugged trip with a 5-2 win over the AL Central-leading Guardians on Thursday night.
Lowe connected for his 18th homer in the first inning off Gavin Williams (3-9).
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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Richard Lovelady, right, is congratulated by catcher Logan Driscoll (41) after the team defeated the Cleveland Guardians in a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays' Jose Siri reacts after walking in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Richard Lovelady reacts after his team defeated the Cleveland Guardians in a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians' Erik Sabrowski pitches in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays' José Caballero gestures from second base after hitting a double in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)WLD
Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe, right, is tagged out at home plate by Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, left, in the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, right, tags out Tampa Bay Rays' Christopher Morel at second base in the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan reaches for but cannot catch a ball hit for a single by Tampa Bay Rays' Ben Rortvedt in the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez, right, forces out Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe (8) at second base in the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt, left, and pitching coach Kyle Snyder, right, talk with starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot, center, in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays' Ryan Pepiot pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians' Gavin Williams pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez, bottom, steals second base as Tampa Bay Rays shortstop José Caballero, top, takes a throw in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays' José Caballero, right, scores behind Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, left, in the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
The Rays were swept earlier this week in a three-game series at NL East-leading Philadelphia. They improved to 3-4 on the 10-game trip, which started in AL East-leading Baltimore and finishes Sunday in Cleveland.
When it ends, Tampa Bay will be the first major league team to face three division leaders on the same trip in September or later.
“I didn't know that. We’ll have to talk to MLB about the (bleeping) schedules," manager Kevin Cash said with a laugh.
“There’s been plenty of challenges and this team is no different than the other two that we faced in Philly and Baltimore," Cash added. "But nice to get a bounce-back win. We had some tight ballgames that right at the end didn’t go our way.”
Tampa Bay's bullpen made this win possible.
Cole Sulser (1-0) took over for Rays starter Ryan Pepiot in the third and pitched three hitless innings, striking out a career-high four. Three more Tampa relievers went an inning each before Richard Lovelady worked the ninth for his second save.
Sulser also pitched a career-best in innings and recorded his first win since he was with Miami in 2022. The right-hander came to Tampa Bay in July via trade from the New York Mets.
“Happy to be able to contribute,” said Sulser, who has been used in a variety of roles.
Cash said he pulled Pepiot early because his velocity was down and he wants to make sure he finishes the season strong. Pepiot was initially surprised he got lifted, but later understood the logic.
“Velo was down a little and they made the decision," Pepiot said. "It was probably the right one. Credit to those guys for shutting them down for seven scoreless and keeping us in the ballgame and picking me up for not being able to do my job today.”
The Guardians missed a chance to increase their division lead over idle second-place Kansas City.
Cash was back in the dugout from serving a one-game suspension after Rays pitcher Edwin Uceta intentionally threw at Philadelphia's Nick Castellanos. Uceta missed his second game.
Lane Thomas, who struggled in his first month after coming to Cleveland in a trade, drove in the Guardians' first run with a two-out double in the first.
Thomas has been the AL's hottest hitter in September, and the double pushed his average to .421 this month and bumped his overall average to .248 — a 17-point jump in 11 games.
Williams, who didn't get out of the first inning in his previous start against the Dodgers. allowed Lowe's homer but settled in and allowed seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.
“They were hitting his fastball hard because he was behind in the count,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “Those were when most of their hard hit balls were when he was behind the count.”
NEW MAN(AGER)
Cash couldn't keep a straight face when asked what it was like to look over at Cleveland's dugout and not see former manager Terry Francona.
“Awesome,” Cash said, breaking into laughter when talking about his close friend, who retired following last season. “I miss him. The game misses him. He's healthy and doing well.”
Cash played for Francona in Boston and was his bullpen coach with Cleveland.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Guardians: RHP Ben Lively (right thigh bruise) is moving better and less sore after being struck with a hard comebacker in Chicago on Tuesday. Lively is scheduled to throw a bullpen Friday and is on track to start Sunday's series finale.
UP NEXT
Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (11-7, 3.56 ERA) starts Friday against Zach Littell (6-9, 3.89), who is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA in 10 career appearances against Cleveland.
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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Richard Lovelady, right, is congratulated by catcher Logan Driscoll (41) after the team defeated the Cleveland Guardians in a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays' Jose Siri reacts after walking in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Richard Lovelady reacts after his team defeated the Cleveland Guardians in a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians' Erik Sabrowski pitches in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays' José Caballero gestures from second base after hitting a double in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)WLD
Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe, right, is tagged out at home plate by Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, left, in the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, right, tags out Tampa Bay Rays' Christopher Morel at second base in the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan reaches for but cannot catch a ball hit for a single by Tampa Bay Rays' Ben Rortvedt in the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez, right, forces out Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe (8) at second base in the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt, left, and pitching coach Kyle Snyder, right, talk with starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot, center, in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays' Ryan Pepiot pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians' Gavin Williams pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez, bottom, steals second base as Tampa Bay Rays shortstop José Caballero, top, takes a throw in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tampa Bay Rays' José Caballero, right, scores behind Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor, left, in the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
LONDON (AP) — A British teen pleaded guilty Monday to murdering three girls and attempting to kill 10 other people in what a prosecutor said was a “meticulously planned” stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, entered the surprise plea as jury selection had been expected to begin at the start of his trial in Liverpool Crown Court.
The July 29 stabbings sent shock waves across the U.K. and led to a week of widespread rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after the suspect was falsely identified as an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat. He was born in Wales.
The attack occurred on the first day of summer vacation when the little girls at the Hart Space, a sanctuary hidden behind a row of houses, were in a class to learn yoga and dance to the songs of Taylor Swift. What was supposed to be a day of joy turned to terror and heartbreak when Rudakubana, armed with a knife, intruded and began stabbing the girls and their teacher in the seaside town of Southport in northwest England.
“This was an unspeakable attack — one which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness," Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle said. “A day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage.”
Prosecutors haven’t said what they believe led Rudakubana — who was days shy of his 18th birthday — to commit the atrocities, but Doyle said that it was clear he had a “a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence.”
Rudakubana had consistently refused to speak in court and did so once again when asked to identify himself at the start of the proceedings. But he broke his silence when he was read the 16-count indictment and asked to enter a plea, replying “guilty” to each charge.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin and for having an al-Qaida manual.
Rudakubana faces life imprisonment when sentenced Thursday, Justice Julian Goose said.
Defense lawyer Stanley Reiz said that he would present information to the judge about Rudakubana's mental health that may be relevant to his sentence.
The surviving victims and family members of those killed were absent in court, because they had expected to arrive Tuesday for opening statements.
Goose asked the prosecutor to apologize on his behalf that they weren't present to hear Rudakubana plead guilty.
He pleaded guilty to murdering Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6.
Eight other girls, ranging in age from 7 to 13, were wounded, along with instructor Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, who worked in a business next door and intervened. Fifteen other girls, as young as 5, were at the class but uninjured. Under a court order, none of the surviving girls can be named.
Hayes, who was stabbed and seriously wounded, said he still had flashbacks to the attack and was “hugely upset at the time that I wasn’t able to do more.”
“But I did what I could in the circumstances,” he told Sky News. “I’m grateful to be here, and by all accounts I’ll make a full recovery, at least physically. … I’m going to be OK and others won’t be, and that’s really where I I think the focus of attention should be.”
Police said the stabbings weren’t classified as acts of terrorism because the motive wasn’t known.
Several months after his arrest at the scene of the crime, Rudakubana was charged with additional counts for production of a biological toxin, ricin and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism for having the manual in a document on his computer.
Police said they found the evidence during a search of his family's home in a neighboring village.
The day after the killings — and shortly after a peaceful vigil for the victims — a violent group attacked a mosque near the crime scene and pelted police officers with bricks and bottles and set fire to police vehicles.
Rioting then spread to dozens of other towns over the next week when groups made up mostly of men mobilized by far-right activists on social media clashed with police during violent protests and attacked hotels housing migrants.
More than 1,200 people were arrested for the disorder and hundreds have been jailed for up to nine years in prison.
In this Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook, Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana appears on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where he has pleaded guilty to killing three young girls and wounded 10 other people in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)
People queue at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
FILE - Police officers watch members of the public outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)
FILE - Tributes are seen outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)