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Rays rout Astros

Jul 2, 2013 - 6:47 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Matt Moore tossed seven scoreless innings as the Tampa Bay Rays blanked the Houston Astros, 12-0, in the opener of a four- game set at Minute Maid Park.

Moore (11-3) allowed just two hits, walked three and struck out eight to win his third straight start. Cesar Ramos worked two perfect innings in relief.

Sean Rodriguez went 4-for-6 with two doubles and three RBI, Ryan Roberts hit a two-run homer and a solo shot, and Sam Fuld added three hits and a pair of RBI for the Rays, winners in six of their last eight games.

"We know everybody can hit on this team, and to see the guys come out and do it tonight, it was awesome to be a part of," Roberts said.

Dallas Keuchel (4-5) was charged with five runs on eight hits and five walks over 4 2/3 innings to absorb the loss.

The Rays plated three runs in the third inning. With runners at second and third and one out, James Loney lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Wil Myers. Roberts followed with a two-run homer to left to give the visitors a 3-0 edge.

Moore gave up a a single to Chris Carter with no outs in the fourth, but went on to retire the next 11 hitters before handing the ball over to Ramos, who retired all six batters he faced.

Tampa Bay added two more in the fifth inning. Yunel Escobar walked and Roberts singled to put two on for Jose Lobaton, who smacked an RBI base hit to left field. Fuld followed with a single that scored Roberts to put the Rays on top 5-0.

Tampa Bay added four more in the seventh and three more in the eighth to break the game open. Fuld, Desmond Jennings, Rodriguez and Myers hit four straight RBI singles to make it 9-0 in the seventh.

In the eighth, Roberts stroked a homer to left-center before Rodriguez belted a two-run double to center to account for the final margin.

"I thought early on we stuck to the plan, but as the game went along it looked like our at-bats got a little more impatient," Astros manager Bo Porter said.

Game Notes

Moore, who threw 101 pitches, has never thrown a complete game ... Tampa Bay, which had 17 hits, went 8-for-15 with runners in scoring position ... Astros first baseman Carlos Pena missed the game due to a death in the family ... Houston has dropped four straight and six of its last seven games overall ... Loney has a 12-game hitting streak.