Yandy Diaz and Ryan Vilade launched back-to-back home runs in the first inning, setting the tone for a 3-0 Tampa Bay Rays victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night. The Rays’ five pitchers combined to limit the Rangers to four total hits and no walks in a tightly controlled, low-scoring affair.
Casey Legumina opened the game with one hit over 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Ian Seymour followed with 4 2/3 innings of his own, allowing just two hits and striking out three to earn the win, improving to 7-2 on the season.
Garret Cleavinger and Kevin Kelly worked around a seventh-inning jam and a perfect eighth, respectively, before Bryan Baker closed the game with a 1-2-3 ninth to record his 29th save of the year and extend his consecutive save streak to 19.
Texas starter MacKenzie Gore allowed three hits and nine strikeouts over seven innings. He retired 20 of his final 21 batters, but the Rays struck first with two runs in the first inning and never let off.
Diaz’s opposite-field shot to right field was the first of the game, followed immediately by Vilade’s two-run drive that struck the “D” Ring in left field. Tampa Bay never faced a deficit after that.
Texas loaded the bases in the seventh but failed to score. The Rangers had runners on second and third with one out before a pair of outs ended the threat. They went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
Shane McClanahan is set to start Thursday’s series finale for the Rays, while the Rangers will go with Cole Winn. Tampa Bay holds a two-game lead in the AL East heading into the final week of the first half.