Rays 4, Astros 3: McCullers again struggles early, offense can't pick him up

Lance McCullers is a Tampa Bay native, but he hasn't liked the home cooking at Tropicana Field yet. In both outings, he has gone six innings and allowed four runs.

Just like his last start, McCullers struggled early as the Rays put two runs up in the first and second inning.

In the first, after challenged double play in which Evan Longoria was safe, but couldn't have been the final out of the inning. Logan Morrison followed with a walk and Steve Pearce blasted a two-run double to the deepest part of the park.

In the second inning, Desmond Jennings walked and scored on a Logan Forsythe double. Forsythe came around on a Brad Miller single -- making the score 4-0 Rays.

The score could have been 7-0 with Longoria hit a ball off the catwalk down the left field line. It was originally called a home run but reviewed and reversed to a foul ball. Longoria followed by grounding into a double play.

On the flip side, the Astros offense looked like it was back to form as George Springer singled and stole second in the first off former Astros Hank Conger. Jose Altuve singled to left but Corey Dickerson gunned down Springer at the plate.

The Astros would waste a bases-loaded chance in third after a Marwin Gonzalez, Altuve and Colby Rasmus singled.

The Astros offense got on the board in the sixth inning. Luis Valbuena led off the inning with a double. Tyler White drove him home with a single and Jaso Castro followed with his fifth home run of the season.

The Astros had life in the ninth inning. Tony Kemp walked to open the inning. Marwin Gonzalez singled to left and both runners moved up an extra base as Kemp drew the throw to third. Gonzalez was originally ruled out but the call was overturned by replay.

The Rays intentionally walked Altuve to load the bases. Rays closer Alex Colome struck out Colby Rasmus and induced a ground ball from Evan Gattis to end the game.