Rays 6, Astros 1: J-Lowe leads the way as Rays even series
Josh Lowe went 4/5 and Littell was solid as Rays even series with Astros
The Tampa Bay Rays entered Saturday night’s nationally televised game against the Astros looking to even the series having lost on Friday. They would do just that behind the bat of Josh Lowe and the collective arms of their pitching staff that held the Astros offense to just one run. The victory improved their record to 56-54.
Zach Littell got the start for the Rays opposite Astros’ starter Ronel Blanco. Littell won the head to head matchup on the bump going 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out three and walked just one. Blanco went five innings, surrendered a pair of runs on seven hits, walked two, and struck out seven. Littell (5-7) would earn the win while Blanco (9-6) took home the loss.
Following Littell, the Rays pen held their own for the final 3.1 innings. Poche retired the final batter in the sixth after allowing a hit. Then Rodriguez, Uceta, and Fairbanks retired the next nine hitters in order to close out the game. Rodriguez struck out the side in the 7th inning and lowered his ERA to 2.37.
While the Rays pitching was stellar, holding the Astros lineup to just five hits, the Rays offense was better, slapping 13 hits, three of which left the yard, and scoring six runs.
Jose Lowe led the way, going 4-5 with a pair of bombs.
The lone Astros run came in the bottom of the second when Jon Singleton blasted his ninth homer of the year to right field. The solo shot gave the Astros a 1-0 lead.
After that it was all Rays. In the fifth inning, Josh Lowe got the party started with a two-run shot to right. Brandon Lowe scored and the Rays took a 2-1 lead. They would never trail again.
In the seventh, Yandy gave the Rays some much needed insurance and hit a solo shot to right field. The line drive opposite field shot was his 10th of the year. Two outs later, Josh Lowe launched his second homer of the game, this time an opposite filed fly ball that just snuck over the wall in left.
Then, in the 9th inning, Brandon Lowe singled off the glove of Singleton at first. As the ball trickled into right field, two runners scored and the Rays took a commanding 6-1 lead. That score would hold and the Rays would eventually win.
J-Lowe’s big night pushed his season average to .239. Ironically, he hadn't hit a homer since he hit a pair of blasts in June 21st against the Pirates.
The defense was much improved as Walls made a few nice plays up the middle and Siri flashed the leather in center. The pitching was solid, and the offense leaned on the long ball. Sound like a recipe for success? That’s because it is. Just ask the 2023 team. Hopefully the Rays can build on this and take the series tomorrow. Recently acquired reliever, Hunter Bigge, will open for the Ra