Rays 4, Astros 3: Luke Scott belted his third homer in six games and knocked in three runs as host Tampa Bay rallied from an early three-run deficit to win for the ninth time in 10 games.
Wil Myers recorded a pair of hits and scored twice, including the go-ahead run in the sixth on Scott’s RBI single. Tampa Bay starter Roberto Hernandez (5-10) allowed three runs – all in the first inning -- and six hits over six innings to snap a personal four-game losing streak.
Jason Castro had two hits and Brett Wallace homered for the Astros while Lucas Harrell (5-10) took the loss, giving up one run and two hits over 1 2/3 innings. Jake McGee and Joel Peralta each pitched a perfect inning for the Rays and Fernando Rodney retired all three batters he faced in the ninth for his 22nd save.
A groundout by J.D. Martinez brought home the first run of the opening inning before Wallace delivered a two-run blast into the right-field seats for a 3-0 lead. Myers led off the fifth with a single and scored on Scott’s two-run shot to right field on a 1-2 pitch to bring the Rays within a run.
The Rays weren’t done in the fifth as Yunel Escobar doubled with two outs, stole third and scored on a bunt single by Desmond Jennings to knot the game 3-3. Myers singled with two outs in the sixth, stole second and came home on Scott’s base hit to right to give Tampa Bay the lead for good.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The effort by Hernandez, which included six strikeouts and one walk, extended Tampa Bay’s club record to 14 straight quality starts. … Houston starter Dallas Keuchel gave up three runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings. … The Astros signed 2B Jose Altuve to a four-year extension, which begins in 2014. There are also club options in 2018 and 2019.
Houston | Tampa Bay | |
Dallas Keuchel | Player | Roberto Hernandez |
No Decision | W/L | Win |
5.1 | IP | 6.0 |
3 | Strikeouts | 6 |
6 | Hits | 6 |
5.06 | ERA | 4.50 |
Houston | Tampa Bay | |
Jason Castro | Player | Luke Scott |
2 | Hits | 2 |
0 | RBI | 3 |
0 | HR | 1 |
3 | TB | 5 |
.500 | Avg | .500 |