The Rays erased a two-run deficit with a decisive eighth inning, defeating the Guardians 3-2 at Progressive Field. Tampa Bay scored twice in the frame to complete the comeback victory.
Steven Matz earned the win with seven strong innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out two. The left-hander carried a 4.31 ERA into the game and improved to 4-1 on the season.
Cleveland took a 2-0 lead in the fifth when Daniel Schneemann homered to left center, scoring David Fry. Tampa Bay answered in the sixth as Ryan Vilade singled to right, bringing Díaz home to cut the deficit to 2-1. The eighth inning proved decisive as Jonathan Aranda homered to right to tie the game 2-2, then Vilade singled to center to score Palacios for the winning run.
Parker Messick pitched well in defeat, allowing three hits and one run over 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts and a 1.73 ERA. Hunter Gaddis took the loss after surrendering three hits and two runs in just one-third of an inning.
Tampa Bay extended its winning streak to four games and improved to 16-11. Cleveland fell to 15-14 with its second straight loss.