The Tampa Bay Rays (54-47) defeated the Cleveland Guardians (51-49) 6-4 on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field.
Brandon Lowe blasted a two-run homer in the first, and Rene Pinto added a RBI double in the second, to give the Rays a 3-0 lead. After Cleveland got one back in the fourth, Yandy Diaz hit a two-run homer in the fifth to give the Rays a 5-1 lead.
Andrew Gimenez hit a three-run homer in the sixth to pull the Rays within 5-4, before Brett Phillips hit a RBI single in the eighth to give the Rays some insurance with a 6-4 lead.
The Guardians got a couple of hits in the ninth inning, and sent Jose Ramirez to the plate with runners at first and second and two outs. However, Pete Fairbanks shut the door with a three-pitch strikeout of Ramirez to earn his second save of the season.
Corey Kluber (7-6, 4.03) picked up the win allowing four earned runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out ten and walking none. The Rays as a pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts and no walks in the win.
The Rays will now look the win the series from Cleveland on Sunday afternoon. First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 1:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Neil Solondz hosting This Week In Rays Baseball at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES