Framber Valdez, Yanier Diaz Team Up As Astros Dump Rays

Yanier Diaz, Valdez's catcher, also had a major hand in helping the Astros post a 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay at Daikin Park on Friday, May 30.

Diaz, with the score tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth, threw out the go-ahead runner at third base, The Associated Press reported. The Rays' Taylor Walls singled with one out in the ninth before Caballero walked. Walls was thrown out trying to steal third base. Valdez then coaxed Yandy Díaz on a groundout to complete his night.

Ninth-inning heroics by Houston Astros catcher derails hopes of a Rays win

Then, in the bottom half of the ninth, Diaz stroked a pitch off Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger (0-1) to the opposite field, sending it over the right-field wall for the walk-off win.

With the victory, the Astros moved past Seattle into sole possession of the American League West Division lead.

Valdez (5-4) tied a season high with nine strikeouts in his ninth career complete game and second this season.

Down 1-0 in the eighth inning, Jake Meyers hit a leadoff double for the Astros to center field with no outs. Zach Dezenzo’s single scored Meyers with Dezenzo reaching second base on a throwing error by second baseman Curtis Mead.

Both teams get back at it on Saturday in the third game of this four-game series. Tampa Bay sends right-hander Zack Littell (4-5, 3.97 ERA) out to the mound against Houston lefty Colton Gordon (0-0, 3.52 ERA).