DETROIT — Games against struggling teams like the Tigers are the ones the Rays have to win in their quest to reach the playoffs for a fourth straight season.
But, based on recent results in Cincinnati and Kansas City, they are the kind they — inexplicably — too often tend to lose.
Thursday, they opened a four-game series in Detroit in a good way, beating the Tigers 6-2.
Jeffrey Springs gave the Rays a very good start, allowing two unearned runs over six innings. And Brandon Lowe led the offense, with a two-run homer and RBI single as part of a three-hit night.
The Rays posted back-to-back wins for the first time since the All-Star break in improving to 56-49 and holding on to their spot in the three-team American League wild-card field.
The Rays grabbed the lead with two runs in the third. Yandy Diaz walked with one out, and Lowe homered for the third time since coming off the injured list on July 16.
But errors by Diaz on back-to-back plays — his first at third base in nearly a year — led to the Tigers getting even in the home half of the inning.
The Rays took the lead right back in the fourth with a two-out rally. No. 9 hitter Christian Bethancourt singled, then Diaz reached on an error by shortstop Javier Baez. Lowe’s single scored Bethancourt, then Diaz scored on a wild pitch by Detroit starter Drew Hutchison.
Tampa Bay added two more runs on a single in the seventh and a double in the ninth by Randy Arozarena, who had four hits.
