A late swing lifted the Tampa Bay Rays past the Houston Astros, as Nick Madrigal’s sacrifice fly put Tampa Bay back in front after Houston had drawn level.

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Ian Seymour anchored the Rays with a sharp start, working through the middle innings while striking out the side of Houston’s offense at key moments. Tampa Bay’s bullpen then protected the narrow margin, with Tyler Wells earning the win and Bryan Baker closing the ninth.

Isaac Paredes opened the scoring with a homer in the first. Richie Palacios later brought Victor Mesa Jr. and Chandler Simpson home with a single, giving Tampa Bay the lead. Yainer Diaz tied the game with a single that scored Jose Altuve, but Madrigal’s sacrifice fly brought Kenny Piper across in the seventh and restored the Rays’ advantage.

Peter Lambert kept Houston within reach but was charged with the loss after Tampa Bay’s late response. The Astros received another productive performance from Yainer Diaz, while their offense could not answer after the Rays moved ahead again.

Tampa Bay extended its winning streak, while Houston’s losing streak continued. The game belonged to the late swing: one sacrifice fly turned a tied contest into a Rays victory.

By the Numbers

Tampa Bay Rays defeated Houston Astros, 3-2.

  • Isaac Paredes went 1-for-4 with 1 home run, 1 RBI and 1 run scored (batting .260 on the season).
  • Yainer Diaz went 3-for-4 with 1 RBI (batting .279 on the season).
  • Daulton Varsho went 0-for-4 (batting .226 on the season).
  • Peter Lambert allowed 3 runs on 6 hits over 6.0 innings, striking out 4, and took the loss (8-9) (3.71 ERA).
  • Bryan Baker allowed 0 runs on 1 hit over 1.1 innings, striking out 1, and closed it out for the save (40) (1.54 ERA).
  • Tyler Wells allowed 0 runs on 0 hits over 1.0 inning, striking out 2, to earn the win (2-2) (2.38 ERA).

Tampa Bay Rays improved to 89-59 (2 straight wins); Houston Astros fell to 75-74 (2 straight losses).

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