The Texas Rangers (58-39) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (60-39) 5-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Tropicana Field to complete a sweep in the three-game series. The Rays have now lost four in a row, and the Baltimore Orioles (58-37) have now tied the Rays atop the AL East standings.
Leody Taveras, the number nine hitter for Texas on Wednesday, drove in the first two runs to build a 2-0 lead. Jonah Heim then hit a three-run blast to give the Rangers a 5-0 lead in the eighth. Jose Siri homered for the Rays in the ninth to break up the Rangers bid for a shutout.
Zack Littell (0-2, 5.56) pitched three and one-third innings as the opener, allowing just one earned run on five hits but taking the loss.
The Rays return home for a six-game homestand that begins with a four-game series with the Orioles, who have tied the Rays atop the AL East. Tyler Glasnow will start for the Rays on Thursday night, opposed by Kyle Gibson for Baltimore. First pitch on Thursday is scheduled for 6:40 PM - Ronnie Lane begins pregame coverage with the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES