Junior Caminero hit a two-run walk-off homer to lift the Tampa Bay Rays (88-59) to a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros (75-73) on Friday night at Tropicana Field. With the win the Rays have clinched a playoff berth, becoming the first team in Major League Baseball to clinch a playoff berth in 2026.
The Astros got on the board in the fourth inning when they got a run on a groundout from Yainer Diaz. Victor Mesa hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to answer that run and tie the game 1-1, which would remain the score until the ninth inning.
The bottom of the ninth began with Yandy Diaz striking out, followed by a double from Jonathan Aranda to put the winning run aboard. Jonny DeLuca came in to pinch run for Aranda with Junior Caminero at the plate, and Caminero blasted the first pitch he saw for his 40th home run of the game to lift the Rays to the win and the playoffs. It was Caminero's first career walk-off homer, and with the blast he became the first player in franchise history to have multiple 40-homer seasons.
Drew Rasmussen started this game and pitched seven innings of one-run ball in which he allowed eight hits while striking out four and walking none. Bryan Baker (2-2, 1.58) picked up the win after pitching the top of the ninth inning. Bryan Abreu (6-4, 3.86) took the loss after allowing Caminero's two-run, game-ending home run. 16,217 fans were in attendance at Tropicana Field on the memorable night.
The Rays will now try to win the three-game series when they meet the Astros in the middle game of the three-game series on Saturday night. Ian Seymour (9-6, 4.33) got the start for the Rays and face Peter Lambert (8-8, 3.67) for the Astros. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 6:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Chris Adams-Wall hosting This Week in Rays Baseball at 4:30 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES