ST. PETERSBURG (WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay rays knocked out twelve hits, including Branon Lowe's team-leading eighth home run, taking the second straight matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks by a 6-3 score Tuesday at Tropicana Field.
Lowe wasted no time getting the Rays the lead, as he swung at the very first pitch of the night by rookie Taylor Clarke, making his first big league start, and backspun it off the D-ring in straightaway center for his first career leadoff home run.
Ryne Stanek, coming off a rough last outing Wednesday in Kansas City, responded with two scoreless innings, striking out four.
Jalen Beeks allowed a run in the fourth on a RBI double by Nick Ahmed, but was able to get out of the inning with the score tied. Tampa Bay regained the lead for good in the bottom of the inning on a double play grounder by Daniel Robertson that scored Yandy Diaz.
The game remained 2-1 until the home half of the seventh, when Tampa Bay added on three runs on a RBI double by Mike Zunino, a fielder's choice by Brandon Lowe, and a RBI single by Ji-Man Choi.
Zunino made it 6-1 in the eighth with an RBI single off Matt Andriese that scored Kevin Kiermaier.
Adam Kolarek allowed a pair of solo homers in the ninth to Wilmer Flores and Carson Kelly, but finished off the contest to give Tampa Bay their league-leading 23rd win, and give them an opportunity to sweep the series Wednesday.
WEDNESDAY'S MATCHUP
Tampa Bay Rays (23-12) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (20-16), 1:10 pm first pitch, with coverage on WDAE beginning at 12:00 with The Inside Pitch.
Rays starter: RHP Charlie Morton (3-0, 2.52 ERA)
Diamondbacks starter: LHP Robbie Ray (2-1, 3.79 ERA)