The Tampa Bay Rays continued their push in the American League playoff race Monday night, while the Detroit Tigers recent slide grew even worse. Jonathan Aranda homered, and Drew Rasmussen delivered six strong innings as the Rays defeated the Tigers 4-1.
Tampa Bay had dropped seven of its previous 10 games, but never trailed in this one as Detroit suffered its sixth consecutive loss and ninth defeat in its last 10 games. The Tigers’ latest setback has put them in a difficult position in the American League wild-card race.
Rasmussen improved to 14-5 after allowing just three hits and one run over six innings. The victory was his seventh consecutive start, the second-longest streak in Rays franchise history. Only Blake Snell’s nine-start winning streak in 2018 stands above him.
Bryan Baker closed out the game in the ninth inning for his 38th save. Detroit starter Framber Valdez fell to 8-9 after allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits over six innings. He walked two and did not record a strikeout.
Tampa Bay jumped ahead 2-0 in the second inning. Yandy Díaz opened the inning with a single before moving all the way to third when Tigers left fielder Brett Callahan misplayed Ryan Vilade’s base hit. Junior Caminero then grounded out, allowing Díaz to score.
After an infield single put runners on the corners with one out, Aranda beat out a potential double-play ball, allowing Vilade to cross the plate and extend Tampa Bay’s advantage.
The Rays added another run in the fourth. Jorge Mateo opened the inning with a double and advanced to third on Nick Fortes’ sacrifice bunt. Chandler Simpson followed with a squeeze bunt, and Mateo scored when third baseman Kevin McGonigle’s hurried throw failed to beat him at the plate.
Simpson’s bunt also extended his hitting streak to 15 games, continuing an impressive stretch for the young Tampa Bay player. Detroit finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. McGonigle doubled and came around to score on Callahan’s sacrifice fly, cutting the Rays’ lead to 3-1.
But Tampa Bay quickly restored its three-run advantage. Aranda launched a home run in the sixth inning, giving the Rays the insurance they needed and putting the game firmly in Rasmussen’s hands.
The Rays’ pitching staff took care of the rest, with Rasmussen turning the game over to the bullpen before Baker finished off the Tigers in the ninth.
Detroit’s recent collapse has become increasingly concerning. The Tigers have now lost six straight and nine of their last 10 games, costing them valuable ground in the American League wild-card race.
For Tampa Bay, the victory provided an important boost after a difficult stretch. The Rays’ offense produced enough timely hitting, while Rasmussen once again delivered a quality performance when his team needed it.
The victory also continued an unusual trend between these teams this season: the visiting team has won all four meetings.
The Rays and Tigers will continue their three-game series Tuesday night. Detroit will send right-hander Jackson Jobe to the mound. Jobe enters the game 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA. Tampa Bay will counter with left-hander Ian Seymour, who is 9-4 with a 4.17 ERA.
The Tigers are also the only team to sweep Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field this season, adding another storyline to Tuesday night’s matchup.
With Detroit desperate to stop its losing streak and Tampa Bay looking to build momentum, the second game of the series could carry significant importance for both clubs.
