The Tampa Bay Rays (38-40) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates (37-40) 3-1 on Sunday afternoon to win the interleague series in Pittsburgh. The Rays have now won consecutive series on the road after taking two of three from both Minnesota and Pittsburgh.
Yandy Diaz homered on the first pitch of the game to give the Rays a 1-0 led. All told he would go on to finish the game 3-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored.
Pittsburgh tied the game 1-1 in the fourth inning thanks to a Brian Reynolds homer, and that would be the score going into the eighth. In the eighth Tampa Bay broke through with two runs to take a 3-1 lead, and would hold on for the win.
Aaron Civale allowed just one earned run on three hits in five innings of work while striking out three and walking one. Kevin Kelly (2-0, 2.97) got the win out of the bullpen while Pete Fairbanks worked the ninth to earn his 11-th save.
The Rays now return home for a three-game series with the Mariners beginning on Monday. Taj Bradley (2-4, 4.06) is scheduled to start for the Rays, and face Bryan Woo (3-1, 1.67) for the Mariners. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES