The Houston Astros (14-12) blew out the Tampa Bay Rays (13-14) 9-2 on Friday night at Tropicana Field. It was the first matchup of the teams that met in the 2020 ALCS - a seven game series eventually won by the Rays
The Astros scored early and often in this game, taking control in the third inning when Alex Bregman homered and Aldemys Diaz grounded in a run to take a 4-0 lead. Diaz finished with four RBIs on the night as he added a run-scoring single in the seventh and a two-run double in the ninth.
The Rays only offense came in the ninth inning, when Willy Adames drove in a pair to make the score 9-2. Ryan Yarbrough took the loss, allowing five runs, all of them earned, on nine hits through six innings while striking out five and walking one.
Tampa Bay looks to bounce back and even the series in game two on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 - pregame coverage begins at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES