ST. PETERSBURG, FL – May 19, 2025 – The Houston Astros opened a new road series against the Tampa Bay Rays with a tight 4-3 victory last night at Tropicana Field. A three-run second inning proved to be just enough offense for the Astros to hold on against a late Rays rally.
Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (2-4) earned the win, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five. Kaleb Ort (1-0) pitched a scoreless 1 1/3 innings in relief. Josh Hader (12th save) closed out the ninth despite giving up a run. For the Rays, Ryan Pepiot (0-2) took the loss, giving up three runs on six hits in four innings.
The Astros got on the board in the top of the second inning. Victor Caratini launched a solo home run to right field, his third of the season, giving Houston a 1-0 lead. The rally continued with an RBI double from Cam Smith and an RBI single from Chas McCormick, pushing the lead to 3-0.
The Rays began to chip away at the lead in the bottom of the fifth when David Jansen hit a two-run home run off Javier, cutting the Astros’ lead to 3-2. They tied the game in the sixth inning when Jose Caballero hit an RBI double off Astros reliever Shawn Dubin, making it 3-3.
However, the Astros immediately regained the lead in the top of the seventh. Jake Meyers hit a solo home run to center field, his third of the season, giving Houston a 4-3 advantage.
Josh Hader entered in the ninth and, despite allowing a base runner, secured his 12th save of the season to close out the game.
The Astros collected 11 hits in the game, with Jeremy Peña going 3-for-4 and Jake Meyers and Cam Smith each contributing two hits.
The win improved the Astros’ record to 25-22 as they continue their road trip.
