ST. PETERSBURG, FL – May 21, 2025 – The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Houston Astros 8-4 last night at Tropicana Field, winning the rubber match and securing the three-game series victory. The Rays’ offense was fueled by multiple home runs, including a decisive three-run blast late in the game.
Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (6-3) took the loss, struggling through five innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks, including three home runs. For the Rays, Taj Bradley (4-3) earned the win, giving up two runs on four hits over six innings.
The Astros actually jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Isaac Paredes continued his impressive power display, launching a two-run home run to left field, his 10th of the season, scoring Jeremy Peña and putting Houston up 2-0.
However, the Rays quickly responded in the bottom of the first. Jonathan Aranda hit an RBI single, and Curtis Simpson followed with another RBI single, tying the game at 2-2.
The Rays then took the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Curtis Mead hit a solo home run off Hunter Brown. They extended their lead further in the fifth with back-to-back solo home runs from Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe, making it 5-2.
The Astros showed some fight in the top of the eighth. Mauricio Dubón hit a solo home run, and Isaac Paredes then hit his second solo home run of the game (and 11th of the season), cutting the deficit to 5-4.
But the Rays sealed the game in the bottom of the eighth. With two runners on, Yandy Díaz crushed a three-run home run off Astros reliever Forrest Whitley, pushing the Rays’ lead to 8-4.
Despite Isaac Paredes’s two home runs and strong hitting (2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI), the Astros’ offense couldn’t keep pace with the Rays’ power surge. The Astros finished with 7 hits and committed 3 errors.
The loss dropped the Astros’ record to 25-24, as they finished their road trip with a 3-3 record and now head home.
