Taj Bradley, a rookie, won his third consecutive start, helping the Tampa Bay Rays set a modern-era MLB record by winning their 14th consecutive home game to start the season. The Rays beat the Houston Astros 8-3 on Monday night. Bradley allowed three runs and four hits with six strikeouts and no walks in five innings at Tropicana Field. In 15⅓ innings this season, the right-hander has struck out 23 and walked two.
Tampa Bay Rays Make History
The Rays broke the modern-era MLB record that they had shared with the 2009 Los Angeles Dodgers. The 1907 New York Giants were thought to hold the record with 15 consecutive home wins, but research by the Elias Sports Bureau found that the Giants forfeited their first home game before the 15-game streak, which counted as a loss. The longest streak in MLB history was 21 in a row, set by the 1880 Chicago White Stockings, who became the Cubs, according to Elias.
Wander Franco Shines for the Rays
Rays shortstop Wander Franco had an outstanding game, making a recovery catch on Martin Maldonado’s fifth-inning foul ball down the left-field line when he overran the ball but was able to make the grab with his bare hand. Franco also had four hits in the game.
Astros Struggle Against the Rays
The Astros had a four-game winning streak halted by the Rays. Alex Bregman and Jeremy Pena homered for the Astros, who were without slugger Yordan Alvarez due to neck discomfort. Houston second baseman Jose Altuve, and outfielders Michael Brantley and Chas McCormick were on the injured list. Mauricio Dubon extended his hitting streak to 18 games.
Overall, the Rays are 20-3 this season, and only the 1911 Detroit Tigers and 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers had better starts at 21-2 since 1901. Bradley said, “You look on the scoreboard, it seems like there’s a new record broke every day. It means a lot. So, it’s like, what’s tomorrow?” The Rays have won 14 straight home games, the longest streak to start a season since the 1886 Detroit Wolverines.
Leave a Reply