Littell, lineup deliver much-needed win to secure series

HOUSTON -- Nearing the end of a long and frustrating month, the Rays left Minute Maid Park on Sunday afternoon with a lot of things to feel good about.

They scored early and didn’t let up. While big names on the trade market continued to come off the board, reliever-turned-starter Zack Littell stepped up in a big way against a dangerous Astros lineup. Star shortstop Wander Franco looked a lot more like himself at the plate and in the field, and second baseman Brandon Lowe kept slugging.

And, perhaps most importantly, the Rays’ 8-2 win over the Astros in Sunday’s finale secured a series victory.

“Winning series, that’s really all we can ask for. The goal for each one is to walk out with more wins than losses,” Lowe said. “Let's keep playing baseball -- and leave July behind us.”

It was Tampa Bay’s first regular-season series win against Houston since March 28-31, 2019, and the club’s first series victory at Minute Maid Park since July 31-Aug. 3, 2017. Additionally, it was only the Rays’ second series win this month and their first against a winning team since they took two of three from the D-backs a month ago.

“I think we can build on this,” outfielder Josh Lowe said. “I think everybody realizes that we're kind of coming out of this little rut that we've been in.”

Specifically, the Rays hope to see their scuffling lineup carry forward the momentum they might have built on Sunday.

The Rays’ first-inning rally could have ended without a run scoring, as Luke Raley came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out and hit a grounder to first baseman José Abreu. But Abreu misplayed the potential double-play ball, as Raley hustled to first and Yandy Díaz scored. That kept the inning alive for the biggest hit of the game: Josh Lowe’s two-out, bases-clearing double off starter Brandon Bielak.

“It could have been somewhat frustrating, had we not capitalized in that moment,” manager Kevin Cash said. “But Josh got a pitch he could drive and cleared the bases.”

What really encouraged the Rays, though, was that they kept up the pressure offensively. In the fourth, Abreu misplayed Josh Lowe’s leadoff single, Díaz banged an RBI single off Alex Bregman into left field and Brandon Lowe’s RBI single got past diving shortstop Jeremy Peña to make it a six-run game.

That freed up Littell to be aggressive around the strike zone with his entire arsenal, and he delivered a career-high five innings to earn his first Major League win as a starting pitcher.

Filling in for a depleted rotation without injured starters Shane Baz, Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen and Josh Fleming, Littell bolstered his case to keep being stretched out as a starter by holding the Astros to two runs on eight hits (seven singles) with four strikeouts and no walks.

“I'd like to. Obviously I've had the conversations with them,” Littell said. “This was kind of a move out of necessity, but I think I'm absolutely capable of doing it and I've enjoyed the process so far, so we'll see.”

“It's been huge,” Cash said. “Most relievers like to be built up or have the opportunity to be built up. I understand why, but it's not that easy to do. And he's really, really done well.”

Littell threw 82 pitches, his most in a game since 2018, and gave up two runs in the fifth. It could have been more if not for a spectacular play by Franco, who snagged an Alex Bregman grounder deep in the hole then made a strong, leaping throw to Díaz for the second out of the inning. It was initially ruled a hit, but the Rays challenged the call and got it overturned.

Brandon Lowe called the play “absolutely incredible.” Littell said it was “all-around incredible” and “a real momentum killer.” Cash saw it as another good sign in a “really good series” for Franco, who went 5-for-11 with three walks, no strikeouts, a triple and his first homer in three weeks.

One of the few hitters who’s been mostly immune to the Rays’ team-wide slump this month, meanwhile? Brandon Lowe, who went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer in the sixth inning on Sunday.

Lowe has hit four homers in his last 11 games, a reminder that he’s as dangerous as anyone when he gets hot, and is hitting .259/.368/.500 since coming off the injured list on July 4.

“It's nice not having a herniated disc. Surprising what that can do to your swing,” Lowe said, grinning. “When you feel good, you can play at your best.”