ST. PETERSBURG (SNN-TV) – Luis Garcia scattered three hits over six innings and the Houston Astros ended the Tampa Bay Rays’ 14-game season-opening home winning streak tonight, 5-0.
Only three teams had a longer run than the Rays, who are now 20-4 overall. The 1880 Chicago White Stockings, who became the Cubs, hold the MLB record for the longest season-opening home streak with 21. The 1886 Detroit Wolverines had an 18-game stretch, while the 1884 St. Louis Maroons of the Union Association won 16 in a row, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Tampa Bay entered tonight outscoring its opponents 157-64. The Rays were held homerless for the second consecutive game after going deep 48 times during an MLB-record 22 straight games with at least one. It was also the first time the Rays have been shut out this season.
Josh Fleming will start or follow an opener in tomorrow night’s series finale for the Rays. Hunter Brown gets the start for Houston. First pitch is set for 6:40pm