The Texas Rangers (41-48) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (44-45) 4-3 on Saturday afternoon in Arlington. The win gives the Rangers a series win, and snaps a streak of five consecutive series won for Tampa Bay.
The Rangers got single runs in the second and third to take an early lead. Yandy Diaz hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Rays a 3-2 lead, but Texas answered with a two-run shot from Marcus Semien in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead right back.
Taj Bradley allowed two runs - only one of them earned - on five hits in six innings to start the game, striking out five and walking only two. Kevin Kelly (2-1, 3.72) took the loss out of the bullpen after allowing Semien's game-changing homer.
The Rays will now look to avoid being swept by the defending World Series champions when the two teams meet in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:35 PM - pregame coverage begins with Chris Adams-Wall hosting This Week In Rays Baseball at 1:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES