Brett Myers allowed just an unearned run in seven innings and the Houston Astros surprised the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in the first of a three-game interleague series on Friday night.
Myers (3-3) pitched in and out of trouble much of the game. He scattered six hits and walked four while striking out seven.
Matt Lindstrom allowed one hit in the ninth for his 10th save.
The Rays scored their lone run in the first inning. After Jason Bartlett led off the game with a walk, he was forced out at second base on a grounder by Carl Crawford. Ben Zobrist followed with a double and Crawford came around to score on Hunter Pence’s error in right field.
Houston tied the game 1-1 on an RBI single by Jeff Keppinger in the third inning. They scored what proved to be the game-winner on a single by Pence in the seventh inning to score Keppinger, who led off the inning with a double.
Rays starter Matt Garza (5-2) took the loss. He went the distance, allowing six hits and three walks while fanning six.
Tampa Bay | Houston | |
Matt Garza | Player | Brett Myers |
Loss | W/L | Win |
8.0 | IP | 7.0 |
6 | Strikeouts | 7 |
6 | Hits | 6 |
2.25 | ERA | 0.00 |
Tampa Bay | Houston | |
Reid Brignac | Player | Jeff Keppinger |
3 | Hits | 2 |
0 | RBI | 1 |
0 | HR | 0 |
5 | TB | 3 |
.750 | Avg | .500 |