TAMPA — Ryan Pepiot struck out six in 5 hitless innings and Christopher Morel had three hits and an RBI because the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-2 on Thursday night time.
Carson Williams additionally drove in two runs for Tampa Bay, which gained its season-high seventh straight recreation and for the tenth time in 12 video games.
With the victory, the Rays transfer inside two video games of idle Seattle within the race for the ultimate AL wild-card spot — the closest they’ve been to a playoff spot since July 26, after they have been 1 1/2 video games again.
Pepiot (11-10) walked two within the victory and a mixed no-hit bid was spoiled after 5 2/3 innings when José Ramírez singled off Bryan Baker.
Pete Fairbanks allowed consecutive homers by Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo within the high of the ninth earlier than getting the following three outs to shut out the victory.
Junior Caminero, Brandon Lowe, and Jake Mangum additionally had hits for Tampa Bay.
Logan Allen (7-11) allowed six hits and 4 runs with 4 strikeouts within the loss for the Guardians, who’ve misplaced 4 of their final 5 video games and slipped 3 1/2 video games again within the wild-card race.
Key second
Brandon Lowe made a sprawling seize with two outs within the high of the fourth, stopping Bo Naylor’s line drive from reaching the outfield and stranding the potential tying run.
Key stat
Pepiot allowed one or fewer hits in his third straight begin of 5 or extra innings, becoming a member of Dylan Stop as the one pitchers in MLB historical past to perform the feat.
Up subsequent
Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (9-5, 3.26) faces Tampa Bay LHP Ian Seymour (3-0, 2.97) within the second recreation of the four-game sequence Friday.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
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