Rays Extend Season-Best 7-Game Win Streak Over Guardians

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-2 in the opener of their four-game series, marking the Rays' seventh consecutive win. Ryan Pepiot delivered a strong performance with five hitless innings and six strikeouts, helping Tampa Bay move closer to a playoff spot. Christopher Morel contributed three hits and an RBI, while Carson Williams added two RBIs, establishing an early lead for the Rays. The Guardians scored their only runs late in the game on consecutive ninth-inning homers by José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo off Pete Fairbanks. Cleveland's Logan Allen took the loss after allowing four runs over five innings, as the Guardians have now lost four of five games, slipping further in the wild-card race. The series continues with Guardians’ RHP Gavin Williams facing Rays’ LHP Ian Seymour in the next game.