The Texas Rangers (40-48) shut out the Tampa Bay Rays (44-44) on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. The game is a rematch of the 2023 AL Wild Card round in which the Rangers swept the Rays out of the playoffs at Tropicana Field.
Shane Baz (-01, 4.50) made his first major league appearance since July 10, 2022 as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery. He threw 92 pitches in his return, allowing three earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work while striking out six and walking one.
The Rays offense was unable to get anything going on the night. Michael Lorenzen (5-4, 3.21) was the winning pitcher, pitching five shutout innings in which he allowed just one hit but walked five while striking out only four.
The Rays now look to bounce back and even the three-game series on Sunday afternoon. Taj Bradley (3-4, 3.42) will get the start for the Rays, and is scheduled to face Andrew Heaney (3-9, 4.04) for Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM - Chris Adams-Wall begins pregame coverage at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES