Aranda Homer, Rasmussen's Six Strong Innings Beat Tigers 4-1

Jonathan Aranda homered and Drew Rasmussen allowed just three hits over six strong innings as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Monday night, extending Detroit's skid to six straight losses.

Tampa Bay had lost seven of its last 10 games entering the night but never trailed against the Tigers, who have dropped nine of their last 10 and are falling behind in the race for the final American League wild card spot.

Rasmussen (14-5) allowed one run to win his seventh consecutive start, the second-longest such streak in franchise history behind Blake Snell's nine-start run in 2018. Bryan Baker closed out the ninth for his 38th save.

Detroit starter Framber Valdez (8-9) gave up four runs — three earned — on eight hits over six innings, walking two without recording a strikeout.

Tampa Bay took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Yandy Diaz led off with a single and advanced to third on a fielding error by left fielder Brett Callahan on Ryan Vilade's base hit. Diaz scored on Junior Caminero's groundout, and after an infield single put runners on the corners, Aranda beat out a double-play attempt that allowed Vilade to score.

In the fourth, Jorge Mateo opened with a double and moved to third on Nick Fortes' sacrifice bunt. Chandler Simpson then executed a squeeze bunt, beating third baseman Kevin McGonigle's rushed throw home. The play extended Simpson's hitting streak to 15 games.

McGonigle doubled and scored on Callahan's sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth, but Aranda's home run in the sixth restored Tampa Bay's cushion.

The two teams continue their three-game series Tuesday night, with Detroit right-hander Jackson Jobe (1-1, 4.50 ERA) facing Rays left-hander Ian Seymour (9-4, 4.17 ERA). The visiting team has won all four meetings between the clubs this season, with the Tigers the only team to sweep the Rays at Tropicana Field this year.