Astros at Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays' winning streak came to an abrupt halt in the series opener, but they hope to resume their victorious ways when they continue the four-game set Friday against the Houston Astros, who look to set a franchise record with their 12th straight road win. After scoring 12 runs while posting back-to-back shutouts versus Washington, the Rays were blanked 1-0 on Thursday to fall to 5-1 on their nine-game homestand.
Tampa Bay, which has allowed eight runs - six in one contest - over its last six games, produced only six hits in the setback as it suffered its third loss in four meetings with Houston over the last 11 days. Rookie Willy Adames went 2-for-3 on Thursday, recording the Rays' lone extra-base hit (a double), for his third two-hit performance in five games. Jake Marisnick was 2-for-2 and drove in the game's lone run with his second homer in as many games as the Astros notched their third straight victory and 18th in 21 contests. Jose Altuve, who leads the majors with a .345 batting average, enters Friday with an eight-game hitting streak but had his string of five games with a run scored come to an end in the series opener.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Gerrit Cole (9-1, 2.56 ERA) vs. Rays RH Wilmer Font (1-3, 6.46)
Cole won his seventh consecutive decision on Sunday as he allowed one run and two hits in a season low-tying five innings against Kansas City. The 27-year-old Californian has been having control issues of late, however, issuing 13 walks over 24 frames in his last four turns. Cole, who is 6-0 with a 2.21 ERA in eight road starts this season, made his first career start versus Tampa Bay on June 18 and did not factor in the decision after yielding four runs on three hits and five walks in seven innings.
Font is coming off his first career victory, a triumph over the New York Yankees on Saturday in which he scattered three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his fourth major-league start. It was the longest turn in the rotation by the 28-year-old Venezuelan, who has given up three runs and 11 hits over 16 frames in his four outings. Font made his only two career appearances against Houston in relief earlier this season and was hit hard, surrendering eight runs and 10 hits - four homers - in 4 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Astros are likely to place SS Carlos Correa, who hasn't played since Monday due to a sore back, on the 10-day disabled list on Friday.
2. Tampa Bay RHP Chris Archer (abdomen) threw 47 pitches in a three-inning simulated game on Thursday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon.
3. Houston placed Yuli Gurriel on the paternity list Thursday and recalled fellow 1B AJ Reed from Triple-A Fresno.