The Houston Astros (59-46) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (63-44) 17-4 on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
The Astros got to the Rays pitching early and often, building an 11-0 lead before the Rays got on a board. They got five runs off starter Taj Bradley (5-7, 5.67) before chasing him from the game with one out in the fourth inning. Houston added six runs off Calvin Faucher before the Rays went to catcher Rene Pinto to work an inning.
Pinto allowed five earned runs in his inning of work and the rout was on.
The Rays will now look to win the three game series when they meet in the finale on Sunday afternoon. First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 2:10 PM - Chris Adams-Wall begins the broadcast day with This Week In Rays Baseball at 12:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES