Tyler Alexander and four other Rays pitchers combined to allow just three hits, Brandon Lowe hit an RBI double in the third inning, and Tampa Bay defeated the Houston Astros 1-0 on Sunday.
Alexander (5-3) came in with two outs in the first inning after opener Hunter Bigge loaded the bases with two walks and a single. He struck out Jon Singleton on three pitches to get out of the inning, then allowed two hits over the next four-plus innings to earn his third straight win. He struck out five batters.
“We’re throwing the ball really well right now,” Alexander said. “Starters are going deep, relievers are shutting it down. I like what I’m seeing with our arms and our bats, too. We’re putting together good at-bats and scoring when we need to. It’s fun to watch how we’re playing baseball right now.”
The Rays, who had traded away players at the trade deadline, have won seven of their last ten games and are five games out of an AL wild card spot. Houston and Tampa Bay are even in the standings at 57-54.
“Big win, there’s no doubt,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “They’re all big right now and that’s not going to end for a while.”
In his last nine-plus innings, Alexander has allowed just one run on six hits, walked one batter, and struck out 12.
“Tyler set the tone for sure,” Cash said. “Our entire pitching group today did just a tremendous job. You shut that team down in this ballpark, that’s saying something.”
The Astros did not get another hit after Yordan Alvarez’s single off Alexander to start the sixth inning. Edwin Uceta then retired six straight batters, Manuel Rodriguez pitched the eighth inning, and Pete Fairbanks got the final three outs for his 21st save in 23 chances.
“The back end of the bullpen did exactly what you’d expect,” Lowe said. “It’s awesome to watch.” Fairbanks has converted 11 consecutive save opportunities for Tampa Bay.
Spencer Arrighetti (4-10) struck out a career-high 12 batters in six innings, the most strikeouts by an Astros starter this season. The Astros as a team have struck out at least ten batters in ten straight games, which is tied for the second-longest streak in major league history.
