ST. PETERSBURG – The Rays opened the second half of their schedule on Saturday by climbing back to the .500 mark with a 5-2 win over the world champion Astros.
Wilson Ramos drove in four runs as the Rays scored five times against Astros ace Justin Verlander in the first two innings and chased him after five.
The Rays used another bullpen brigade to get to 41-41, with Ryne Stanek working an inning as opener, then Vidal Nuno 4 2/3 (and the win) before Jose Alvarado, Chaz Roe and Sergio Romo took it from there.
The Rays were last at .