The Houston Astros (99-51) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (82-67) 5-2 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The win gives the AL West champion Astros a sweep over the Rays in the three game series.
After the Astros took a first inning lead - as they had done each of the last two nights - the Rays got a run in the sixth inning, which was the first time they had scored in the series. Isaac Paredes then hit a solo homer in the seventh to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.
Houston answered with a three-run eighth inning off Brooks Raley (1-2, 2.47) to take back control of the game. The Astros added an insurance run in the ninth to make it a 5-2 game.
Corey Kluber got the start for the Rays, allowing just one earned run on six hits in seven innings of work while striking out two and walking one. Tampa native Lance McCullers Jr (4-1, 2.38) got the start and win for the Astros, allowing two earned runs on six hits in seven innings of work where he struck out eight and walked two.
The Rays now meet the Blue Jays in a four game series at Tropicana Field with huge implications for how the AL Wild Card race will play out. First pitch on Thursday night is scheduled for 6:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher hosting the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES