TAMPA -- Ryan Pepiot started the Rays’ series opener against the Guardians on Thursday by throwing 13 straight fastballs, including 11 in a row to eventually retire leadoff man Steven Kwan.

Pepiot didn’t stop bringing the heat all night.

He struck out six batters over five hitless innings and four relievers combined to strike out seven more as the Rays rolled to a 4-2 win , their seventh straight victory, at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

This is the Rays’ longest winning streak since a seven-game run from June 3-9, 2023, and it comes at an opportune time in the American League Wild Card race. They were trailing the Mariners for the third and final spot by 7 1/2 games when the streak began, but they are now only two games behind Seattle -- the closest they’ve been to a playoff spot

See Full Page