Deja Vu Part 3: Rays Swept As Rangers Rally Again

ST. PETERSBURG (620 WDAE) -- For the third consecutive game, the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen couldn't hold a two-run lead late, as Brad Boxberger gave up back-to-back homers to Roughned Odor and Carlos Gomes, allowing the Texas Rangers to finish off a three-game sweep of the Rays with a 6-5 decision.

Texas jumped on Rays starter Jake Odorizzi in a three-batter stretch to start the second inning, beginning with a triple by Adrian Beltre and a sacrifice fly from Mike Napoli for a 1-0 lead.  Roughned Odor then blasted his 18th home run of the season off the C-ring in right field to double the advantage.

Tyson Ross could not get a shutdown inning in the bottom of the frame though, as he hit Steven Souza Jr. to start the inning and Shane Peterson reached on catcher's interference.  Adeiny Hechaverria the singled in Souza to cut the deficit back to a single run, and Peterson scored as a result of a double play grounded into by Mallex Smith.

Tampa Bay took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, with Smith coming up with the bases loaded and one out to double over Shin-Soo Choo's head in right to plate a pair, then scored himself after a fielder's choice and a pair of walks that ended Ross' afternoon.

Odorizzi did not last much longer, as he allowed a home run to Joey Gallo to lead off the top of the fifth, followed by walks to pinch-hitter Jonathan Lucroy and Choo.

Erasmo Ramirez allowed the bases to get loaded by walking Nomar Mazara, but got Adrian Beltre to pop out in foul territory and striking out Mike Napoli to maintain the lead.

Adam Kolarek and Tommy Hunter each worked scoreless relief outings, but Brad Boxberger issud a four-pitch walk to Mike Napoli with one out in front of Odor, who took a pitch out of the zone low and golfed it to right for his second homer of the afternoon to tie the game.  Carlos Gomez followed up two pitches later by taking a hanging slider to left for his 13th ome run of the season to give he Rangers the lead for good.

Jose Leclerc walked Brad Miller and Logan Morrison in the ninth, but retired Souza to end the game.

The loss is Tampa Bay's fourth straight.

The Rays will welcome the Baltimore Orioles to the Trop to begin a three-game series Monday.

NOTES: Odorizzi has now allowed a home run in his last 15 consecutive starts, extending his club record.  The Major League record is 20, set by Minnesota's Bert Blyleven from September 8, 1986-June 10, 1987.


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