Rays aim for series triumph vs. Rangers
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - The Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays close out a lengthy four-game series Sunday at Tropicana Field.
Wandy Rodriguez takes the mound for Texas, while Tampa Bay counters with Jake Odorizzi.
Rodriguez earned his first victory in almost two years Tuesday when the lefty tossed eight innings of one-run ball for the Rangers, which included eight strikeouts of the host Astros. It was Rodriguez's third start of the season. He enters Sunday's bout with a 1-1 record and a 3.12 earned run average, adding 16 strikeouts to nine walks.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He's only started three games against Tampa Bay in his lengthy career, and none have been overly successful. Rodriguez is 0-2 lifetime against the Rays with a 5.09 ERA, allowing 10 runs in 17 2/3 innings pitched.
The 25-year-old Odorizzi has kept his ERA down to an impressive 2.21 this season in his six starts for the Rays. Odorizzi is 3-2 this season, and has struck out 32 batters against only eight walks.
His last start was a strong one. The 6-foot-2 righty lasted seven innings against Boston and surrendered seven hits with just one earned run and six strikeouts.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Odorizzi, who is battling the flu, is 2-0 lifetime against Texas in two starts with a 1.38 ERA. In 13 innings of work versus the Rangers, he's given up just seven hits and two runs with 11 strikeouts.
After winning four games in a row up until Friday night, the Rangers have now dropped back-to-back games and will try to avoid another loss Sunday.
Tampa defeated Texas Saturday, 7-2, after Matt Andriese replaced Odorizzi in the rotation. Odorizzi was scratched from his original start after experiencing flu-like symptoms. Andriese went 3 2/3 innings, surrendering five hits and two runs. Andrew Bellatti picked up the win for the Rays.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I started to feel very comfortable in the start of my second inning," said Bellatti. "Especially if the offense is giving you run support like that, I think any pitching staff is going to feel comfortable."
Steven Souza Jr. and Evan Longoria each finished Saturday's contest with three RBI. Longoria got the scoring started with a three-run homer in the first inning, and Souza followed suit in the fifth with a three-run shot.
Ross Detwiler was hit with his fourth loss of the season after giving up five runs to the Rays in four innings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Carlos Peguero provided the only runs for Texas, sending a two-run homer run to center field in the fourth inning.