Rays: 6, Astros: 8 - Rays offense shows up, but it’s too little too late

After yesterday’s forgetful 15-1 loss, the Rays looked to Ryan Yarbrough to even this series up, and avoid a 4 game losing streak.

Rays got started 1st with a sacrifice fly by Joey Wendle in the 2nd inning to make it 1 - 0 Rays

Rays increased that lead to 3-0, when after a Tommy Pham (who’s hitting .533 against Cole), Ji-Man Choi launched a 2-run HR out of Minute Maid Park.

That lead was very, very short lived. Astros came roaring back in the bottom half of the 4th inning.

Jose Altuve opened the inning with a double, and moved to third on a Michael Brantley ground out. Alex Bregman singled to make it 3-1 Rays, then a Yuri Gurriel HR tied the game up.

Rays came back briefly in the top of the 7th inning after Joey Wendle tripled, and Jesus Aguilar singled him home to make it 4-3 Rays.

Besides that fourth frame, Ryan Yarbrough had another solid outing. He went 6.0 IP with 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, and 5 Ks.

Cash decided 85 pitches was enough for Yarby and decided to go to Diego Castillo for the 7th inning.

It did not go well. Again in bottom half of the inning in which the Rays’ score the Astro’s also scored.

Diego Castillo opened up the inning with a walk to Yuli Gurriel and a double to Aledmys Diaz to tie the game up, again.

Jake Marisnick Singled, George Springer singled, and a throwing error by Eric Sogard that should’ve ended the inning causes 2 more Astros to score and its 6-4 Astros.

Cash went from Diego Castillo to Oliver Drake in the 8th inning, and it didn’t get any better. Drake opened up the inning with a double to Alex Bregman and a single to Yordon Alvarez. A groundout of Yuli Gurriel would put runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out, which lead to Cash and Drake to intentionally walk Aledmys Diaz to load the bases and set up the double play for catcher Martin Maldonado.

In theory, its nice.

Bases are still loaded. Drake did get Jake Marisnick to strike out, but walked George Springer, and the Rays found themselves in a 8-4 hole.

The silver lining of this loss, is that Willy Adames continues his dominance on the road, and hit a 2-run HR off Roberto Osuna to give Rays fans hope.

That would be it though and the Rays would fall 8-6.

They will look to avoid the sweep today at 2:10 PM with Andrew Kittredge getting the open and Trevor Richards as the bulk guy against Houston Astros trade deadline acquisition Zack Grienke.