Caminero and Co look to avoid the sweep against the Astros with Zach Littell going up for the Rays against Ronel Blanco.
For the first few innings, both Littell and Blanco kept the bases empty, and batters hitless. The first hit came in the bottom of the 3rd inning, on a Taylor Walls single with only 1 out, but Jose Siri struck out, and Yandy Diaz popped out to end the inning.
The first hit (and run) for the Astros was at the top of the 5th when Jeremy Peña took a 3-1 fastball from Littell out to left field for a HR.
Littell escaped the inning with no more damage, and would be it for him after 68 pitches.
His final line: 5.0 IP 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 3 Ks.
Rays had a couple of chances late in the game, first in the 7th inning, Josh Lowe and Junior Caminero both worked walks, and both stole a base to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out, but Ben Rortvedt struck out and Johnny DeLuca grounded out to end the threat.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, Taylor Walls opened up the inning with a walk and then made it to 2nd and stole 3rd with only 1 out.
Tie game!
A bullpen of Edwin Uceta, Kevin Kelly, Manuel Rodriguez, and Pete Fairbanks kept the Astros hitless and scoreless, so we go to the 10th.
Garrett Cleavinger was tasked with getting through the 10th, and it looked like he would, working around a walk to get two outs, but the pesky Astros found a way and scored 1 run.
Rays have one last chance to avoid the sweep, facing Hader again for the 10th (Hader also pitched the 9th today).
Dylan Carlson put together a great at bat against Hader, getting him to a full count, but hit a shallow fly ball that couldn’t advance the runner. DeLuca also got a full count, but struck out on a high fastball, and it comes down to Taylor Walls.
Hader seals the 2 inning save, and the Astros complete the sweep of the Rays.
Rays are off tomorrow and then welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks and T-Pain on Friday with Ryan Pepiot scheduled to be on the bump for the Rays. Gametime is 6:50 PM
