Heading into the fourth, Jake Meyers got a two-out single for the Astros, but a Cam Smith strikeout ended the inning. With two outs in the home half of the inning, Curtis Mead hit a solo home run to break up the tie and put the Rays ahead. Ben Rortvedt reached on a fielding error but the Rays wouldn’t be able to score any additional runs.

The Rays knew what they were up against Wednesday afternoon. Astros right-hander Hunter Brown has been one of the Majors’ most dominant starters this season, with six wins, an ERA lower than everyone but Max Fried and an arsenal full of devastating pitches.

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros play the Tampa Bay Rays leading the series 1-0. Tampa Bay has a 21-26 record overall and an 11-18 record in home games. The Rays have the eighth-ranked team ERA in the AL at 3.92.