Junior Caminero Walks Rays Into Postseason With Dramatic 40th Home Run
· Yahoo Sports
The Tampa Bay Rays returned home for a huge series-opening win over the Houston Astros that clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2023.
The team became the first in the majors to secure a playoff spot after a 3-1 victory at Tropicana Field over the Astros. They will still battle to keep the American League division lead, as they now lead the New York Yankees by three games.
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Here is what you need to know from the contest.
Picture-perfect ending.
After a pitcher's duel throughout the contest, the Tampa Bay Rays finally found enough base traffic and runners in scoring position to capitalize in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Rays superstar slugger Junior Caminero walked it off and secured a postseason berth for Tampa Bay with a two-run home run against Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu. The home run was Caminero's 40th of the season, and he now leads the American League by two over designated hitter Yordan Alvarez.
Alvarez did not play in the series opener due to a right ankle injury. The injury is not seen to be serious and should not allow him to miss a lot of time as the AL MVP race is still up for grabs.
The race finished the night with four hits and two home runs, as Victor Mesa Jr. also took one deep in the fifth inning. The team was 1 for 3 in scoring position, with the only successful attempt being the walk-off home run on the final pitch.
WE WILL SEE YOU IN OCTOBER pic.twitter.com/O82U0NfRFa
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 12, 2026
Postseason pitching
It was another solid and lengthy appearance for Rays All-Star Drew Rasmussen. The right-hander went 7 strong innings, only allowing 1 earned run, striking out 4, and giving his bullpen a well-needed rest as they return back to Tampa Bay.
Kevin Cash utilized the power couple in the back end of his bullpen, a sight that we would likely see in successful postseason bouts. Tyler Wells and Bryan Baker finished this one off for Tampa Bay, as they both went scoreless in innings to seal the victory.
Must stay on the gas.
Although the Rays clinched their first postseason bid since 2023, they still haven't secured the goal before October. The team will look to carry the best record into the postseason, and with a tough schedule remaining, they will need their best baseball over the next few weeks.
The team currently holds a three-game lead over the New York Yankees for the AL East division lead, but the Yankees are on a four-game winning streak and are looking like a World Series contender with Aaron Judge back in the fold.
Yet Tampa Bay controls its own destiny and will look for another win in the second game of the series at Tropicana Field, as Ian Seymour will take the start for the Rays. He'll face right-hander Peter Lambert for Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm Eastern.