Corey Seager continued his streak of hitting well for ten games by driving in two runs with a double, and Michael Lorenzen, along with four other relievers, combined to limit the Tampa Bay Rays to just three hits in a shutout victory on Friday night. The Texas Rangers defeated the Rays 3-0.
Seager’s double came in the third inning, going to the opposite field into the left-center gap, following singles by Jonathan Ornelas and Marcus Semien. Nathaniel Lowe brought Seager home with a single, accounting for the Rangers’ other run.
Lorenzen, who earned his fifth win of the season, had a strong outing, allowing only one hit and striking out four batters, although he did walk five over his five innings. He loaded the bases with walks in the fifth inning but managed to strike out Brandon Lowe to end his night.
After Lorenzen, Jose Leclerc pitched a scoreless sixth inning, followed by Jacob Latz, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates, who closed the game with a perfect ninth inning for his 12th save in 12 opportunities.
Manager Bruce Bochy praised the pitchers for their ability to work through tough situations and execute key pitches when necessary.
The shutout was the Rangers’ ninth of the season, while it marked the fifth time the Rays had been held scoreless, their first time since June 8.
Shane Baz, making his first start in the majors since July 2022 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, struck out six batters in six innings for the Rays but was tagged with the loss. He was recalled from Triple-A Durham earlier in the day.
