ARLINGTON -- Jonathan Aranda delivered the decisive blow in the 10th inning, a three-run home run in the Rays’ 6-3 victory over the Rangers on Saturday night at Globe Life Field.
Aranda drove lefty Jacob Latz’s 1-2 slider a Statcast-projected 409 feet to right-center field for the Rays, who increased their lead in the America League East to 4 1/2 games, with the Yankees in action against the Padres.
Jorge Mateo began the inning as the automatic runner at second. He advanced on Taylor Walls’ sacrifice bunt. Yandy Díaz was intentionally walked, setting up Aranda.
Right-hander Tyler Wells (4-2) earned the victory in relief, working scoreless ninth and 10th innings.
The outcome preserved a brilliant outing from right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who muzzled the Rangers over seven strong innings.
The right-hander limited Texas to one run on three hits. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a hitter, outdueling Rangers ace Jacob deGrom. His lone misstep was a curveball to Joc Pederson, who hit a first-pitch homer with one out in the sixth inning.
In a game featuring two premier starters, we figured the first to three runs would be the winner. That's what we get for figuring.
The Rays fired the opening salvo with Junior Caminero's AL-leading 38th home run in the first off deGrom. In the fifth, Richie Palacios hit a 2-0 sinker out of the park, his second homer in as many days.
In the eighth, Tampa added what we thought would be the magic third run. Liam Hicks’ base hit scored Aranda, who started a two-out rally. The Tampa bullpen, though, couldn’t protect the two-run lead.
The Rangers touched up Kevin Kelly and Cam Booser for two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Evan Carter led off the inning with a home run. With one out, Justin Foscue doubled in Cam Cauley from first to tie the game.