News » Blake Snell and the surging Tampa Bay Rays are having success

Snell struck out 10 Rock Ya-Sin Jersey , reliever Diego Castillo fanned Jose Altuve in a key spot and the Rays wrapped up an impressive homestand by beating the Houston Astros 3-2 Sunday.

The Rays went 8-1 at Tropicana Field, taking three of four from the World Series champion Astros, sweeping three from the New York Yankees and winning both games against Washington. Tampa Bay set a team record by allowing no more than two runs in its sixth straight game.

”Everybody’s doing their part,” Snell said.

Snell tied Hall of Famer Walter Johnson (1914) with his 11th consecutive home start allowing one or fewer earned runs for the longest stretch in the AL since 1913, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

”He’s pitched like an All-Star,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. ”We knew we had a chance to have a special series and really special homestand, and I think he capped it off.”

Matt Duffy hit a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning that put the Rays ahead 2-1 and Mallex Smith homered in the eighth.

Evan Gattis homered twice for Houston. The Astros went 0 for 14 during the series with runners in scoring position.

”We didn’t do enough to win the game or win the series.” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.

Snell (11-4) allowed one run and four hits in 7 1/3 innings. The lefty has given up five earned runs over 51 2/3 innings (0.87 ERA) at home this season.

Castillo replaced Snell with the bases loaded in the eighth with the Rays leading by a run. Castillo struck out Altuve in a 10-pitch at-bat and got a grounder from Yuli Gurriel to protect the lead.

Sergio Romo got his eighth save despite allowing Gattis’ homer in the ninth.

Charlie Morton (10-2) struck out 11 in 6 2/3 innings. The Astros led 1-0 when he left with runners at first and second, and Duffy greeted Chris Devenski with a bloop single down the right-field line. Joey Wendle scored from first base when right fielder Josh Reddick hesitated before throwing the ball back to the infield.

”I just kind of froze,” Reddick said. ”There’s no excuse for screwing that up. I’ve got to get the ball in, and even if I throw it home early http://www.coltscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-ben-banogu-jersey , we’re still playing the ball game right now.”

Gattis, who had eight homers and 30 RBIs in June, put the Astros up 1-0 on his seventh-inning drive.

Jake Marisnick had a potential run-scoring extra-base hit tracked down in deep center by Smith with two outs in the fifth.

Smith’s homer was his first since last July 21, ending a 356 at-bat drought.

”I’m not worried about hitting home runs,” the speedy Smith said with a smile. ”I like to steal bases. Can’t steal bases when you hit homers.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: Gurriel returned after three days on the paternity list. . Reliever Joe Smith (right elbow soreness) could be back Tuesday.

Rays: CF Kevin Kiermaier was rested after making two diving catches Saturday. He dropped to 0 for 9, including eight strikeouts, against Morton by going down swinging as a pinch-hitter in the seventh.

SORE SPRINGER

Astros RF George Springer was out of the lineup for the second time in three days after tumbling into the stands chasing a foul ball Saturday. Hinch said Springer is ”beat up a little bit.” Springer, mired in a 3-for-44 slide, was a pinch-runner in the ninth.

DEADLINE DEALS

The Rays could move veteran players like RHPs Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Archer, and C Wilson Ramos before the non-waiver trade deadline. Also attracting interest is Tampa Bay’s bullpen. ”I imagine our front office will do what they always do, and that’s look to do what’s best for the organization going forward Parris Campbell Jersey ,” Cash said.

The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals are among the teams with scouts in attendance recently.

UP NEXT

Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel (4-8) will go against Texas RHP Austin Bibens-Dirx (1-1) Tuesday night.

Rays: Eovaldi (2-3) faces Miami LHP Wei-Yin Chen (2-5) Monday night.

SCOREBOARD

Sunday, Jan. 21

Jacksonville at New England, 3:05 p.m. EST. New England (14-3) has reached the AFC championship game for the seventh consecutive season and the 12th time overall in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era. The Jaguars (12-6) are playing in the conference title game for just the third time in franchise history, and first since losing to Tennessee during the 1999 season.

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Minnesota at Philadelphia, 6:40 p.m. EST. Nick Foles and the resilient Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) host Case Keenum and the surprising Minnesota Vikings (14-3) – in a matchup of teams that overcame losing their starting quarterbacks. Philadelphia is playing for the NFC title for the 11th time, but hasn’t won it since the 2004 season – when the Eagles went on to lose to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Vikings reached their 10th NFC title game and first since the 2009 season.

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STARS

Passing

– Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, was 37 for 58 for 469 yards with five touchdown passes and an interception in Pittsburgh’s 45-42 loss to Jacksonville. Roethlisberger is the first player in the Super Bowl era to have at least 400 passing yards and five or more passing touchdowns in a playoff game.

– Case Keenum, Vikings, was 25 for 40 for 318 yards, including a stunning 61-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs with no time remaining to give Minnesota an improbable 29-24 win over New Orleans.

– Drew Brees http://www.ravenscheapstores.com/miles-boykin-jersey-cheap , Saints, was 25 for 40 for 294 yards with three second-half touchdowns and two interceptions in New Orleans’ 29-24 loss to Minnesota.

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Rushing

– Leonard Fournette, Jaguars, had 25 carries for 109 yards and three touchdowns in Jacksonville’s win over Pittsburgh.

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Receiving

– Antonio Brown, Steelers, had seven catches for 132 yards, including touchdown catches of 23 and 43 yards in Pittsburgh’s loss to Jacksonville.

– Stefon Diggs, Vikings, had six receptions for 137 yards, including a stunning 61-yard touchdown with no time remaining, in Minnesota’s win over New Orleans.

– Vance McDonald and Le’Veon Bell http://www.coltscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-bobby-okereke-jersey Jersey , Steelers. McDonald had 10 catches for 112 yards and Bell had nine receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s loss to Jacksonville.

– Michael Thomas, Saints, had seven receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns in New Orleans’ loss to Minnesota.

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Special Teams

– Josh Lambo, Jaguars, made a 45-yard field goal with 1:45 remaining in Jacksonville’s win over Pittsburgh.

– Kai Forbath, Vikings, made three of four field goals, including a 53-yarder in Minnesota’s victory over New Orleans.

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Defense

– Telvin Smith, Jaguars, had 16 combined tackles and returned a fumble 50 yards for a touchdown in Jacksonville’s win over Pittsburgh.

– Anthony Barr and Andrew Sendejo, Vikings. Each had interceptions in Minnesota’s win over New Orleans.

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FINAL FOUR

New England has reached the AFC championship game for the seventh consecutive season and the 12th time overall in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era. The Jaguars are playing in the conference title game for just the third time in franchise history Noah Fant Jersey , and first since losing to Tennessee during the 1999 season. Philadelphia is playing for the NFC title for the 11th time, but hasn’t won it since the 2004 season – when the Eagles went on to lose to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Vikings reached their 10th NFC title game and first since the 2009 season. If the Patriots win next week, the AFC will be represented by either Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisberger in 14 of the past 15 Super Bowls. The exception is the Ravens’ Joe Flacco in Super Bowl 47.

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SAINTS-VIKINGS: DOWN TO THE WIRE

Case Keenum completed a last-ditch heave near the sideline on the game’s final play, and Stefon Diggs slithered away for a 61-yard touchdown to give Minnesota a 29-24 victory over New Orleans and send the Vikings to the NFC championship game, with one more win needed to become a first-time Super Bowl host. The game had four lead changes in the final three minutes and it was the first game in NFL playoff history to end on a game-winning touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter.

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STREAKS & STATS

The Jaguars and Steelers combined for 77 points in Jacksonville’s 45-42 win. It is the most points in a playoff game since the Colts and Chiefs combined for 89 points in the 2013 wild-card round. … The Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger had 469 yards passing against the Jaguars. He is the only player to throw for at least 300 yards against the Jaguars this season. Wide receiver Antonio Brown had 132 yards. He is the only player with at least 100 receiving yards in a game against the Jaguars this season. Both Roethlisberger and Brown both have done it twice against Jacksonville. … The Jaguars have scored eight defensive touchdowns this season, three more than any other team. It is the most defensive TDs scored in a season by one team (including playoffs) since the 2012 Bears who had nine.

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MILESTONES

The Vikings’ 29-24 win over the Saints was the first game in NFL playoff history to end on a game-winning touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter. … Jacksonville’s 45 points tied the most ever allowed by the Steelers in the playoffs. The Steelers lost 45-28 to Miami in the AFC title game after the 1984 season.

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SPEAKING

”I don’t know if th