ARLINGTON – The Globe Life Field curse has been lifted.
The Rays made it interesting, seeing a five-run lead shrink to one, but they ultimately prevailed with a 7-6 victory over the Rangers on Friday night. It ended a 10-game losing streak at Globe Life Field, a facility the Rays had not won in since June 2, 2022.
The Rays appeared to be cruising much of the night.
Starter Nick Martinez looked sharp in his first start against the organization that drafted him in the 18th round of the 2011 Draft. The defense was making plays, including a spectacular diving catch by left fielder Chandler Simpson to record the first out in the bottom of the fourth. And, a night after being held without an extra-base hit, the offense had five -- two home runs and three doubles -- in the first five innings to build a 6-1 lead.
But nothing in this ballpark has come easily for the Rays recently.
That was the case once again as the Rangers stormed back in it. In the seventh, Martinez exited with two on and one out. Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger entered and walked Cody Freeman to load the bases.
Then, Rangers No. 9 batter Elias Díaz stepped to the plate and sent an 87.6 mph slider from Cleavinger over the left-field fence for a grand slam. That pulled the Rangers to within 6-5, but the Rays recovered.
Left-hander Cam Booser ended the seventh by getting Rangers slugger Corey Seager to bounce into an inning-ending double play, and Kevin Kelly worked a scoreless eighth. Bryan Baker left in the ninth with an apparent injury before Tyler Wells closed it out.