Gonzalez's 10th-inning homer gives Astros 3-2 win over Rays

HOUSTON (AP) Houston's Marwin Gonzalez's doesn't get to play every day.

However, the utility man's performance on Tuesday night guaranteed him a spot in the lineup on Wednesday.

Gonzalez had three hits and his 10th-inning leadoff homer lifted the Astros to a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

''He gets to play tomorrow,'' manager A.J. Hinch said. ''I'm not sure what position, but he'll get to play tomorrow. ... I think he's earned it.''

The game was tied 2-all when Gonzalez connected off All-Star closer Brad Boxberger (4-9), leading off the 13th by sending a full-count fastball into the seats in right field to give Houston the win.

''I don't try to do too much,'' Gonzalez said. ''I just try to do my job and go there and have fun whenever I'm playing.''

Luke Gregerson (6-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

The Rays led 2-1 in the eighth before an RBI double by Carlos Correa off Jake McGee tied it up.

Curt Casali homered for the Rays, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

Manager Kevin Cash isn't concerned about his bullpen despite its struggles Tuesday night.

''I don't think so,'' he said. ''I think both of their velocities have been consistent pretty much all year. I think you have to credit the hitters that are having the approach off of them.''

Boxberger is confident they can get back on track.

''I think it's just a rough patch we're hitting right now,'' he said. ''It's part of it. Everyone goes through it. It's just a matter of how quick you can turn it around.''

Gonzalez drove in Houston's first run with a double in the third inning.

Kevin Kiermaier singled to center field to start the top of the seventh and Casali followed with a bloop double. Grady Sizemore drew a walk with one out to load the bases before Evan Longoria grounded into a forceout that scored Kiermaier to put the Rays on top 2-1.

Jason Castro singled with one out in the third and Jose Altuve reached on a bunt single. He was ruled out initially but the Astros challenged the call and it was overturned. Gonzalez followed with his double to left to score Castro and give Houston a 1-0 lead.

Casali's towering homer tied it at 1-all with one out in the fifth.

Jake Odorizzi allowed six hits, one run and tied a season-high with nine strikeouts in six innings.

Houston starter Scott Feldman yielded nine hits and two runs in seven innings.

''It was one of those stressful, stressful games pitching-wise,'' he said. ''It seemed like every inning I had one or two guys on. So luckily when it mattered I was able to make some pitches and limit the damage.''

There was a scary moment when Correa tumbled over Carlos Gomez when the two both tried to catch Casali's double in the seventh. Gomez went to the ground to try and make the catch and a sprinting Correa deflected the ball off his glove before running into him and falling to the ground. He remained on the ground for a minute clutching his left ankle, but remained in the game after a short chat with the team's trainer.

Correa said after the game that he was fine.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rays: OF Desmond Jennings, who came off the 60-day DL on Friday, got a day off. Cash said he was fine, but that he wanted to give him a breather after playing four straight games after such a long layoff following arthroscopic knee surgery.

Astros: OF George Springer (broken right wrist) has started to swing a fungo bat. Hinch said he's still some time away from swinging a real bat or actually hitting. There is no timetable for his return.

UP NEXT

Houston ace Dallas Keuchel (14-6, 2.36) looks to improve to 12-0 at home when he opposes Tampa Bay rookie Nathan Karns (7-5, 3.53). Keuchel is tied with Seattle's Felix Hernandez for the AL lead in wins and his 2.36 ERA ranks second.