Brandon Lowe hit a home run, and Tampa Bay’s bullpen kept Cleveland to just one hit in seven scoreless innings, helping the Rays break a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Guardians, who lead the AL Central.
Lowe’s home run, his 18th of the season, came in the first inning against Gavin Williams (3-9).
The Rays had been swept in a three-game series against Philadelphia earlier in the week. With this win, they improved to 3-4 on their 10-game road trip, which began in Baltimore and will conclude in Cleveland on Sunday.
This trip will make Tampa Bay the first major league team to face three division leaders in September or later.
“I didn’t know that. We’ll have to talk to MLB about the (bleeping) schedules,” manager Kevin Cash joked.
“There’s been plenty of challenges and this team is no different than the other two that we faced in Philly and Baltimore,” Cash added. “But nice to get a bounce-back win. We had some tight ballgames that right at the end didn’t go our way.”
Tampa Bay’s bullpen played a key role in this victory.
Cole Sulser (1-0) came in for Rays starter Ryan Pepiot in the third inning and pitched three hitless innings, setting a career-high with four strikeouts. Three more Tampa Bay relievers each pitched an inning before Richard Lovelady closed out the game in the ninth for his second save.
Sulser also set a personal record for innings pitched and earned his first win since his time with Miami in 2022. He joined Tampa Bay in July through a trade with the New York Mets.
“Happy to be able to contribute,” said Sulser, who has been used in various roles.
Cash explained that he pulled Pepiot early because his velocity was down and he wanted to ensure Pepiot finishes the season strong. Pepiot was initially surprised by the decision but later understood.
“Velo was down a little and they made the decision,” Pepiot said. “It was probably the right one. Credit to those guys for shutting them down for seven scoreless and keeping us in the ballgame and picking me up for not being able to do my job today.”
The Guardians missed an opportunity to extend their lead in the division with second-place Kansas City idle.
