Astros: 3, Rays: 1 - Today was also not ideal

After yesterday’s 9-2 loss to the Houston Astros, the Rays’ were looking to exact revenge against their playoff rivals. Maybe the new month will help!

Things started in a not ideal fashion, as Jose Altuve took the very first pitch from Josh Fleming and poked it into the right field corner for a double.

Alex Bregman hit a lazy fly ball into no mans land to score Altuve, and quickly make it 1-0 Astros, with only 1 out.

It’s always so nice to hear Todd Kalas again.

Josh Fleming couldn’t get comfortable, and instead of attacking the zone, tried nibbling, which resulted in back to back walks to load the bases with only 1 out. Yuli Gurriell singled two more runs for the Astros, and the Rays were quickly in a 3-0 hole, and they haven’t even got a chance to bat yet.

Fleming was able to get Kyle Tucker and Myles Straw to strike out to end the inning, but was closing in on 30 pitches after 1 inning.

Rays offense could not figure out Jose Urquidy for all night, and didn’t have a runner in scoring position until the 6th inning. With two outs, Manuel Margot and Brandon Lowe singled to put runners on 1st base & 3rd base, but Randy Arozarena grounded out to end the inning.

After the 1st inning, Josh Fleming did settle down, going 6.0 IP, giving up 3 hits, walked an unusual 5 batters, and struck out 4 batters.

A combination of Hunter Strickland and Cody Reed relieved Josh Fleming, and combined for 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and 1 K.

Rays offense was non-existent throughout most of the game, except for the bottom of the ninth inning. Brandon Lowe singled and Randy Arozarena walked to put two runners on with nobody out. Joey Wendle grounded out and moved the runners over to 2nd and 3rd base with one out and Yandy Diaz at the plate.

Final out was down to Yoshi Tsutsugo, who hit a 104.8 mph groundout deep in the hole to Jose Altuve, but Altuve didn’t bobble this one and was able to get the ball to Yuli Gurriel for the groundout and end the game.

Rays fall to 13-15, and will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow. Rich Hill will be on the mound for the Rays against Cristian Javier. Game time is at 1:10 PM EST.