The Tampa Bay Rays (3-3) defeated the Texas Rangers (3-2) 5-2 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field to even the three game series at one game apiece.
Zach Eflin (1-1, 5-25) put together a gem for the Rays after taking the loss for Tampa Bay on Opening Day against the Blue Jays. He allowed one earned run on five hits while striking out five and walking one in six and one-third innings of work. A bullpen combination of Colin Poche, Jason Adam and Pete Fairbanks combined to shut the door on this victory.
The Rays got a RBI single from Yandy Diaz in the third and from Randy Arozarena in the fifth to build a 2-0 lead. Isaac Paredes hit a three-run homer later in the fifth inning to help key the victory for Tampa Bay.
The Rays will now attempt to win the three game series against the Rangers when the two teams meet in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon. Aaron Civale (1-0, 1.50) is scheduled to start for Tampa Bay and face former Ray Nathan Eovaldi (0-0, 3-00) for Texas. First pitch on Wednesday afternoon is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES