The Tampa Bay Rays (47-47) defeated the Cleveland Guardians (57-36) 2-0 on Friday night at Tropicana Field to open the final series before the MLB All-Star Break.
Taj Bradley (4-4, 2.90) was brilliant for the Rays, pitching seven shutout innings in which he allowed just five hits while striking out eight and walking two. Colin Poche and Jason Adam were both perfect out of the bullpen in the eighth and ninth inning, respectively - for Jason Adam, he earned his fourth save after striking out the side in a perfect ninth.
The Rays took a 1-0 lead in the third inning after Alex Jackson scored when Brandon Lowe grounded into a double play. Yandy Diaz drove in Alex Jackson in the fifth inning for the second run of the game, which would prove to be enough to beat Cleveland. Jackson, getting the start at catcher, finished the day 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Yandy Diaz went 3-for-5 with a RBI.
The Rays will now look to win the series against the Guardians coming up on Saturday afternoon. Zack Littell (3-6 4.44) will get the start for the Rays, and face Gavin Williams (0-1, 4.82) for Cleveland. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 4:10 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