Gonzalez’s 10th-inning homer gives Astros 3-2 win over Rays

Rays shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera launched a sacrifice fly to left-center field in the fifth inning to score right fielder Brandon Guyer, and pinch hitter John Jaso greeted Astros right-hander Josh Fields with an RBI single to left after Kazmir allowed a pair of baserunners to reach to open the sixth inning.Kazmir departed trailing 6-2 and failed to escape the sixth inning for a third consecutive start after working 14 2/3 scoreless innings over his first two appearances with Houston.

Tampa took Game 1 of this series in Houston by a score of 9-2, and the Rays appear to have a favorable matchup here in Game 2 tonight.

This time it was Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger who allowed the Houston Astros to rally for a 3-2, 10-inning victory Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. Astros manager A.J. Hinch reiterated his commitment to slumping CF Carlos Gomez, who entered Monday mired in an 0-for-17 slump and batting.183/.210/.267 in 15 games since his trade deadline acquisition.

Curt Casali hit a two-run single in Tampa Bay’s three-run ninth to give every player in the starting lineup at least one hit.

Boxberger is confident they can get back on track.

Rays: OF Desmond Jennings, who came off the 60-day DL on Friday, got a day off. Manager Kevin Cash said he was fine, but that he wanted to give him a breather after playing four straight games after such a long layoff following arthroscopic knee surgery. Feldman used guile to negotiate trouble in the first, second and sixth innings but cracked in the seventh.

“I don’t think this is a throwback”, he said.

The Rays led 2-1 in the eighth before an RBI double by Carlos Correa off McGee tied it.

Boxberger said he didn’t want to walk the leadoff batter. He was pounded for nine hits and six runs in six plus innings against the Braves. Hinch said they’re slowly increasing his activity to see how he tolerates the added work. “It’s part of it. Everyone goes through it. It’s just a matter of how quick we can turn it around”.

After failing to convert promising opportunities in the first two innings, the Rays got on the board in the fifth.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi allowed a run in six innings. It was his second ejection of the season, with the first coming June 20 at Seattle for also arguing a replay challenge. After making his major-league debut on August 3, Shaffer hit.263/.391/.579 with two home runs and two RBIs over eight games. Grady Sizemore drew a walk with one out to load the bases before Evan Longoria grounded into a forceout that scored Kiermaier to put the Rays on top 2-1.

Houston had their chances as they left nine runners on base, multiple times in scoring position. And despite several opportunities, the Astros couldn’t muster the offensive might against Ramirez to take Kazmir off the hook.NOTES: The Rays optioned rookie 3B/OF Richie Shaffer to Triple-A Durham and recalled LHP Enny Romero.