The Tampa Bay Rays (23-26) defeated the Houston Astros (25-24) 8-4 on Wednesday afternoon to win the three-game series against the Astros.
Both teams got two runs in the second inning, before the Rays got one in the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. Houston got two more in the eighth to pull within 5-4, but in the bottom of the eighth Yandy Diaz hit a three-run homer to make it 8-4 and clinch the victory for Tampa Bay.
Taj Bradley (4-3, 4.61) got the win for the Rays after allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking two. Pete Fairbanks came into the game in the ninth - not in a save situation - but pitched a scoreless inning to clinch the win.
The Rays are now off on Thursday before beginning a three-game series against the Blue Jays on Friday night. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:05 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball on the Radio.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES