DETROIT, MI — The Rays made sure there would be no late Detroit rally in Game 2, powering past the Tigers 6-3 at Comerica Park to even the AL Division Series at one game apiece.
Once again, Detroit’s pitching struggled early. Framber Valdez never settled in, surrendering a first-inning homer to Yandy Díaz before Tampa Bay broke the game open in the third. The Rays plated four more runs in the inning to build a commanding 5-0 lead and chase Valdez before he could complete the third.
The Tigers briefly threatened another comeback after rallying from five runs down in the series opener. In the bottom of the third, Riley Greene crushed a two-run homer to spark the offense, and later Dillon Dingler lined an RBI single to right to trim the deficit to 5-3.
But unlike Game 1, Detroit’s bats went quiet from there.
Tampa Bay added an insurance run in the sixth when Junior Caminero lifted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Carson Williams for the final margin.
Valdez was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs on six hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen lasted only three innings himself after giving up three runs on seven hits, but Tampa Bay’s bullpen stabilized the game. Mason Englert earned the win with two scoreless innings, and closer Griffin Jax secured his second save of the postseason.
