Rays 8, Rangers 1
Sean Rodriguez and Ryan Hanigan each homered and combined to drive in seven runs as Tampa Bay cruised past visiting Texas in the opener of a three-game series.
Jake Odorizzi (1-0) tossed six shutout innings while yielding three hits and three walks for the Rays, who opened the season with a four-game split against Toronto. Rodriguez, who was reinstated from the paternity list prior to the game, went 2-for-4 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the third.
Texas starter Joe Saunders (0-1) allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits over 3 2/3 innings before leaving with a bruised right ankle. Saunders fell to 0-4 with an 8.68 ERA in four career starts against Tampa Bay, which pulled ahead 5-0 in the fourth on Wil Myers’ RBI single up the middle.
The Rays extended their lead in the fifth when Rodriguez led off with a double and Brandon Guyer reached base on Adrian Beltre’s error before Hanigan belted his first home run with his new club. Texas scored in the eighth on Prince Fielder’s RBI single off Josh Lueke.
Fielder had two hits for the Rangers, who lost their road opener for the 12th time in the last 15 seasons. Texas had two runners on and two outs in the second inning, but Odorizzi struck out Leonys Martin to end the threat.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Myers, who missed Thursday’s game with flu-like symptoms, went 1-for-3 and made a diving catch in the seventh inning that was originally ruled a non-catch. Rays manager Joe Maddon challenged the ruling and the call was reversed after a 1-minute, 43-second review. … No Rangers starter has lasted six innings in the team’s first four games. … The Rays improved to 25-12 at home against the Rangers since 2005.