ST. PETERSBURG (WDAE) -- For the second straight night, the Tampa Bay Rays spotted the Houston Astros, this time erasing a 1-0 deficit in the fifth with two runs and going on for a 3-1 win Saturday at Tropicana Field.
Houston's only run came in the top of the first inning, when Alex Bregman lined a Tyler Glasnow pitch over the cutout in the left-field wall for his first hit of the season and his first home run of the year. The blast came after Jose Altuve was thrown out by Michael Perez trying to steal second base following a walk by Glasnow.
The right-hander settled down and allowed just five more hits in the next four innings, throwing 77 pitches in his five innings of work.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay did not have a hit against Astros starter Collin McHugh until the fifth, when Yandy Diaz led off with a double down the left field line, and scored two batters later on a double by Kevin Kiermaier. Perez then plated Kiermaier with a base hit to right to break the tie.
Tampa Bay added an insurance run in the eighth off Chris Devenski, as Perez doubled to right, took third on a sacrifice bunt by Guillermo Heredia, and scored on a base hit by Tommy Pham, which also extended his streak of reaching base safely to 35 consecutive games, third most all-time in Rays franchise history.
Ryne Stanek worked two scoreless innings of relief after Glasnow (1-0), with Chaz Roe and Adam Kolarek again combining to put up a zero in the eighth and Jose Alvarado working a perfect ninth for his second save in as many days.
Tampa Bay can finish off the series victory with a win in Sunday's finale.
SUNDAY'S MATCHUP
Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) vs. Hosuton Astros (1-2), 1:10 pm first pitch, with coverage on WDAE beginning at 11:00 am with The Inside Pitch presented by Crown Eurocars.
Rays starter: RHP Yonny Chirinos (5-5, 3.51 ERA in 2018)
Astros starter: LHP Wade Miley (5-2, 2.57 ERA in 2018)
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Monday: Rays vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:10 pm first pitch
Tuesday: Rays vs. Colorado Rockies, 7:10 pm first pitch
Wednesday: Rays vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:10 pm first pitch.