The Tampa Bay Rays (64-44) are now 20 games above .500 after defeating the Texas Rangers (55-54) 3-2 on Thursday afternoon. With the win, the Rays have won the three-game series and are now 5-1 through the first six games of their nine-game homestand at Tropicana Field.
Yandy Diaz got the Rangers on the board with a RBI single in the third inning, but Texas got single runs in the fourth and fifth to take a 2-1 lead. Jonny DeLuca hit a solo homer in the sixth inning to tie the game 2-2, before Cedric Mullins hit a solo homer in the eighth that would prove to be the difference in a 3-2 win.
Shane McClanahan got the start and was pulled from the game in the fourth inning because of a back issue. He finished the game allowing one earned run without allowing a hit while striking out three and walking two. Garrett Cleavinger (3-3, 3.31) got the win out of the bullpen after working the eighth inning, before Bryan Baker earned his 30th save by closing things down in the ninth inning.
The Rays remain at home and will host the Chicago White Sox for a three-game series beginning on Friday night. Nick Martinez (10-2, 2.45) is scheduled to start for the Rays and face Erick Fedde (5-6, 4.25) for the White Sox. First pitch on Friday night is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES