The Texas Rangers (2-0) beat the Tampa Bay Rays (0-2) 7-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Tropicana Field to sweep the Rays out of the playoffs. After a regular season that saw the Rays go 99-63 and earn the top Wild Card spot in the American League, Tampa Bay saw their postseason aspirations come to an end in just two games.
The Rangers got to Rays starter Zach Eflin (0-1, 7.20) in the fourth inning, getting four runs. Texas added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to build a 7-0 lead.
Curtis Mead gave the Rays their only run of the postseason when he drove in Josh Lowe in the seventh inning. That made the score 7-1, which would be the final score.
The Rays head into the offseason looking forward to the 2024 season. The Rangers advance to take the the Baltimore Orioles in the Best-of-Five ALDS beginning on Saturday.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES