ST. PETERSBURG, Fla, (AP) — Curtis Mead hit his first home run of the season and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 7-5 on Wednesay night to avoid a three-game sweep.
Ben Rortvedt collected his second RBI of the game with a single and scored on Mead’s two-run drive off Will Vest (1-1) that put the Rays ahead for good in the sixth inning. It was Mead’s first homer since Sept. 22.
Tampa Bay had lost three in row and five of seven.
“Awesome, for sure,” Rortvedt said. “Especially losing the first two games, our backs are against the wall. Really trying to come out with a win as we go into the off day. This is huge for us.”
The Tigers completed a six-game trip at 4-2 and are 10-4 on the road this season.
‘Well, the series win is nice,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said, “We’re’re happy with the road trip. It doesn’t end well. But keeping things in perspective, we’re doing some good things and we’re winning series, which is key. You want to get greedy when you have the chance to sweep. They came up bigger in the big moments and won the game.”
Stock market today: Asian benchmarks mostly slide as investors focus on earnings
China issues stamps featuring UNESCO site Pingyao ancient city
In pics: sailing race at 19th Asian Games
Chase Elliott drives backward after Texas win that could get him going in the right direction again
Air Rwanda: Which airline will deport migrants on a one
China's porcelain capital attracts migratory foreign designers
Hangzhou ready to host smart Asian Games
Art reshapes rural scene in SW China village
New Orleans man pleads guilty in 2016 shooting death of Jefferson Parish deputy
Canton Fair opens in China with surge in overseas purchasers
Xizang reports soaring exports of local agricultural specialties in Q1
UNICEF China partners with Special Olympics East Asia to advance inclusion