The Tampa Bay Rays (17-11) defeated the Cleveland Guardians (15-15) 3-2 on Monday night in Cleveland. With the win, the Rays have now won their last five consecutive games.
The Guardians got a two-run homer from Daniel Schneeman in the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Rays got one back in the sixth inning when Ryan Vilade had a RBI single to pull within 2-1. Then in the eighth inning Jonathan Aranda hit a solo homer to tie the game, before Vilade had another RBI single to give the Rays a 3-2 lead.
Steven Matz (4-1, 4.31) got the win allowing just wo earned runs on four hits in seven innings of work in which he struck out two and walked one. Bryan Baker earned his seventh save of the season after working a scoreless ninth inning.
The Rays and Guardians now meet in the second game of the three-game series on Wednesday night. First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 6:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 5:00 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES