Madrigal’s sac fly seals 3-2 Rays win over Astros

The seventh inning proved decisive as the Tampa Bay Rays secured a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros at Tropicana Field. The game swung on a sacrifice fly by Madrigal, which scored Piper to give the home team the lead they would not relinquish. This play capped a late rally that erased a two-run deficit and set the stage for the final score.

Houston took an early lead in the first inning when Paredes hit a home run to left center, carrying the ball 391 feet for the only home run of the game. The Astros extended their advantage to 2-1 in the fifth inning. Palacios singled to center, allowing Mesa Jr. and Simpson to cross the plate.

Tampa Bay responded in the sixth with a single by Diaz to left, which scored Altuve and tied the game at 2-2. The balance of power shifted in the seventh when Madrigal’s sac fly to center brought in Piper, giving the Rays a 3-2 lead.

Ian Seymour anchored the Rays’ pitching staff, throwing six innings while allowing four hits and two earned runs. He struck out ten batters and issued one walk. Tyler Wells picked up the win, pitching one scoreless inning with two strikeouts and one walk.

Ty Johnson recorded the save, pitching two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout and one walk. Bryan Baker closed the game, allowing one hit in one and one-third innings while striking out one.

For Houston, Peter Lambert took the loss. He pitched six innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out four. He also issued no walks. The bullpen included Bennett Sousa, AJ Blubaugh, and Bryan King, all of whom pitched without allowing earned runs. The game drew an attendance of 24,642. The Rays improved to 89-59, while the Astros fell to 75-74.

Sources

ESPN