The Tampa Bay Rays (64-44) defeated the Houston Astros (59-47) 8-2 on Sunday afternoon at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The win gives the Rays a series win in the first series of a nine-game, three-city road trip for Tampa Bay.
The Rays struck first in this one, coming up with four in the first inning. The key moment came when Josh Lowe hit a three-run double that made it 4-0 early in the game.
Tampa Bay added two more in the fourth, before Brandon Lowe hit a two-run homer in the sixth to make give the Rays eight runs. Lowe finished the game 3-for-5 with three runs driven in and two runs scored.
Zack Littell (1-2, 4.85) was asked to start, and made the most of his opportunity. He allowed two earned runs on eight hits in five innings of work while striking out four and walking none. Erasmo Ramirez, who was added to the Rays roster earlier in the day, added three shutout innings before Jason Adam shut the door in the ninth.
The Rays now head to New York for a three-game series against the Yankees beginning on Monday night. Tyler Glasnow (4-3, 3.36) is expected to start for the Rays in the first game. First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 7:05 PM - Ronnie & T-Kras begin pregame coverage with the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620 your Home of Rays Baseball.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES