Isaac Paredes Blasts Rays Past Texas Rangers in Series Opener

The Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers opened a series between the American League's two best teams Friday night.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Rays slugger Isaac Paredes locked in on Texas Rangers pitching for six RBI in an 8-3 victory to open a series featuring the American League's two best teams Friday night at Tropicana Field. 

Paredes had an incredible game, hitting two home runs, going 3-for-4 and driving in the Rays' first six runs. His second home run in the sixth was a two-run shot off Rangers reliever Spencer Howard, who was making his season debut with the Rangers. 

Tampa Bay improved to 47-19, while Texas dropped to 40-22  

Paredes hit a three-run shot off Rangers starter Andrew Heaney in the bottom of the third, which gave the Rays a 4-1 lead. 

Heaney (4-4) only went five innings and only gave up four hits. He walked two and struck out five. 

Howard gave up four runs and four hits in 1/3 inning of work. John King pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

The Rangers offensive bright spot was center fielder Leody Taveras, who hit a pair of solo home runs. Josh Jung added a solo blast in the ninth.

Those were the Rangers' only three hits of the game, as the Rays, led by starter Tyler Glasnow (1-0) and two relievers, struck out 11 Rangers. 

Saturday's game, set for 3:10 p.m. CT, features pits Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (8-2, 2.24) against Rays right-hander Taj Bradley (4-2, 3.60). Bradley was among the game’s Top 100 prospects before he made his MLB debut on April 12.

Sunday's game pits the Rays' Shane McClanahan (9-1, 2.02) against Rangers left-hander Martín Pérez (6-1, 3.97).

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