HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Alexander combined with four other Rays pitchers on a three-hitter, Brandon Lowe hit an RBI double in the third inning, and Tampa Bay beat the Houston Astros 1-0 on Sunday.
Alexander (5-3) entered with two outs in the first inning after opener Hunter Bigge loaded the bases with two walks and a single. He fanned Jon Singleton on three pitches to escape that jam, then allowed two hits over the next four-plus innings to pick up his third straight win. He struck out five.
The Astros didn’t get a hit after Yordan Alvarez singled off Alexander leading off the sixth, ending his day. Edwin Uceta came in and retired six straight batters, Manuel Rodriguez pitched the eighth and Pete Fairbanks closed it out for his 21st save in 23 opportunities.
The Rays, who were sellers at the trade deadline, have won seven of 10 and are five games out of an AL wild card spot. Houston and Tampa Bay are even in the standings at 57-54.
Spencer Arrighetti (4-10) struck out a career-high 12 batters in six innings, the most Ks by an Astros starter this season. As a team, the Astros have struck out at least 10 in 10 straight games, tied for the second-longest streak in major league history.
Arrighetti allowed one run on five hits. Dylan Carlson led off the third with a double and came home on Lowe’s one-out two-bagger.
Houston went 1 for 5 with runners in scoring position. The Astros have scored one run over the last 18 innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: 1B Yandy Diaz left the game after taking a line drive off his left hand in the sixth inning. Diaz grabbed his hand and was in considerable pain.
Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (neck stiffness) threw a 37-pitch live batting practice session, topping out at 94 mph, on Sunday morning. Manager Joe Espada said the plan is for Verlander to start a rehab assignment next weekend.
UP NEXT
Rays: LHP Jeffrey Springs (0-0, 4.91 ERA) opens a three-game series at St. Louis on Tuesday, facing Cardinals RHP Sonny Gray (10-6, 3.72).
Astros: RHP Hunter Brown (9-7, 4.11) will open a three-game series on Monday at Texas against Rangers LHP Andrew Heaney (4-11, 4.12 ERA).
