CLEVELAND -- If only the Rays could stay away from the NL Central.
Tampa Bay won its fifth straight game and improved to 12-1 against AL teams by rallying Monday night for a 3-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians. The Rays also won their ninth in a row over AL Central teams.
It’s been a very different story against the NL Central, as the Rays are just 5-10.
The Rays are just the seventh team to win 12 of its first 13 games against the AL, joining Milwaukee (1987), Detroit (1911, 1984), Oakland (1981), Cleveland (1966) and Baltimore (1966).
Jonathan Aranda homered and Ryan Vilade delivered a go-ahead single in the eighth inning as the Rays, who are 15-6 since April 4, came from behind. Steven Matz bounced back from his worst start this season by pitching seven strong innings. He allowed two runs and four hits.
Rays closer Bryan Baker worked in and out of a mess in the ninth. He gave up a one-out single and a double before striking out pinch-hitter George Valera and Daniel Schneemann for his seventh save.