Rays avoid sweep, knock off Cardinals 6-4

Brandon Lowe hit a two-run homer and former Cardinal Dylan Carlson drove in two runs to help the Tampa Bay Rays avoid a series sweep by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 on Thursday night.

The Rays were 1 for 23 with runners in scoring position in their previous two games against the Redbirds.

Lowe has hit seven home runs, nine doubles and has 18 RBIs in his last 26 games. He has driven in a run in five consecutive games, tying a career high.

Nolan Arenado drove in a run, scored twice and had three hits for St. Louis. Arenado is 12 for 30 in August with three doubles and six RBIs. Paul Goldschmidt drove in two runs for the Cardinals.

Richard Lovelady (3-4) pitched one inning for the win and Pete Fairbanks, a St. Louis native who pitched at Missouri, pitched the ninth for his 22nd save in 24 opportunities.

JoJo Romero (5-2) took the loss.

The Cardinals roll down I-70 for a weekend in Kansas City. Miles Mikolas (8-9, 5.12) takes the mound against Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (5-6, 3.69) on Friday.



(AP Photo Scott Kane)