The Tampa Bay Rays (82-64) defeated the Texas Rangers (63-83) 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The win gives the Rays a series win against Texas, and leaves Tampa Bay in the second wild card spot, trailing Toronto by half a game for the top wild card spot.
After falling behind 1-0, the Rays got solo homers from Christian Bethancourt and Jose Siri in the second to take a 2-1 lead. They made it 4-1 before the Rangers answered with two runs to pull within 4-3. Taylor Walls used a bases loaded walk in the sixth inning to give Tampa Bay some insurance, as it made it a 5-3 game.
Jeffrey Springs (9-4, 2.45) worked five and two-third innings to get the win. He allowed three runs, two of them earned, on six hits while striking out six and walking two. Pete Fairbanks worked the ninth inning for his eighth save of the season.
The Rays now welcome in the Houston Astros for a three game series beginning on Monday night. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 6:40 PM Monday - Neil Solondz begins pregame coverage at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES