Astros sting Rays behind back-to-back jacks

HOUSTON — Talk about a power surge. Carlos Correa and Evan Gattis hit back-to-back homers in the ninth to give the Astros a 5-4 victory over the Rays on Friday night in the series opener. It was Houston’s first win at Minute Maid Park in five games and its 10th walk-off win this season, which is the most in the Majors.

Rays right fielder Mikie Mahtook had belted a go-ahead homer in the top of the ninth off Ken Giles, but Correa, who has discovered a certain knack for coming through in the clutch this season, blasted a leadoff shot over the right-field wall in the bottom half to tie at 4. Gattis then fended off Alex Colome, who suffered his second blown save of the season, in a lengthy at-bat before smashing the game-winner on a pitch high in the zone.

“Emotional wins can lift a team,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “The clubhouse is screaming. We got to watch Gattis strip his clothes off. That was entertaining, and we get to walk out of here with a nice walk-off win for the fans.”

“Obviously a tough loss,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “A lot of quick change emotions right there. Mikie comes up and gets a huge home run against a really good pitcher. Then, we give it right back to those guys. Correa obviously was ready to hit the first pitch. And Gattis put together a pretty good at-bat.”

Both starting pitchers put together quality starts. Astros righty Mike Fiers went 6 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and three runs — two on wild pitches — and struck out five. Rays lefty Drew Smyly logged six innings and surrendered only three hits and three runs — all in the first two innings. He retired the last 14 batters he faced.

“Both teams got to their bullpens in a tie game that rarely give up runs: Boxberger, Colome, …

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