Sunday, 4 a.m.
When a team is riding a winning streak, it always seems rude when a game turns out the wrong way.
But this?
The Rays blew a five-run lead and lost 10-8 to the Houston Astros. Yordan Alvarez homered twice and drove in six runs as the Astros stopped the Rays' nine-game winning streak.
There for a while, it looked like a gimmie putt for the Rays. Junior Caminero homered (as did Richie Palacious and, latere in the game, Jonny DeLuca.
But the Rays' pitching didn't hold. Drew Rasmussen, named to the American League All-Star team earlier in the day, struggled. He tave up six hits and five earned runs in five innings. Cole Sulser came in and gave up htree more. At the end, Casey Legumina gave up the winning two runs.
Caminero now has 11 home runs in 11 games.
The Rays had a chance to score even more early. However,a they left nine men on base and were just two-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
Caminero, DeLuca and Palacios all had two hits.
Caminero was named a starter on the AL All-Star team. Yandy Diaz, Drew Rasmussen and Bryan Baker all made the team.
The Rays continue to lead the Yankees by four games in the AL East.
The Rays play the Astros again today at 3:30 p.m. at Daikin Park. Griffin Jax will start for the Rays against Peter Lambert.