Aranda and Palacios homer as Rays hold off Rangers 7-6

The Tampa Bay Rays ended a 10-game road losing streak against the Texas Rangers with a 7-6 victory on Friday, despite Elias Díaz’s grand slam.

Jonathan Aranda and Richie Palacios hit solo home runs for Tampa Bay, which led 6-1 in the seventh inning. Díaz’s grand slam, the fourth of his career, brought Texas within one run and matched the Rangers’ largest deficit of the season in the American League West.

Nick Martinez left after recording one out with runners on first and second. Garrett Cleavinger walked Cody Freeman before Díaz lifted a 1-2 slider just over the left-field wall. Cleavinger then gave way to Cam Booser after Justin Foscue singled, and Booser ended the inning by getting Corey Seager to hit into a double play.

The Rangers threatened again in the ninth. Bryan Baker, Major League Baseball’s saves leader, left with apparent dehydration after walking the first two batters he faced. Tyler Wells came in for his sixth save, but Díaz’s sacrifice fly reduced the margin to one and put the potential tying run at third with two outs. Foscue then hit a fly ball that was caught.

Martinez improved to 14-4 after allowing five hits and three runs over 6 1/3 innings. Kumar Rocker took the loss after allowing Aranda’s homer in the third, Palacios’ homer in the fourth and five hits during a four-run fifth inning.

Tampa Bay remained first in the American League East. Texas remained three games behind Houston, which beat Arizona 3-1.