Junior Caminero’s walk-off homer sends Rays to playoff-clinching 3-1 win over Astros

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Junior Caminero hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the ninth inning, securing the Tampa Bay Rays a playoff berth with a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night. The 23-year-old Caminero, who hit 45 home runs in 2025, his maiden full season in the majors, extended his streak of 40-plus homers.

His 417-foot shot to left-center off Bryan Abreu was his 40th of the season, joining Aaron Judge as the only active players with back-to-back 40-homer campaigns. Tampa Bay, with an 88-59 record, became the first team in the majors to secure a postseason spot. Victor Mesa Jr. contributed a fifth-inning homer for the Rays, but that was the team's sole hit through eight innings.

Jonathan Aranda doubled with one out, replaced by pinch-runner Jonny DeLuca, who allowed Caminero to walk it off on the following pitch. The Astros scored in the fourth when Isaac Paredes doubled and advanced on a Diaz groundout. Rasmussen lasted seven innings, striking out four and walking none. Houston opener Miguel Ullola pitched the first three innings, while Bryan King and Ethan Pecko provided solid relief before handing the pitching duties to Abreu in the ninth.

Yordan Alvarez, the AL triple crown contender, was absent after injuring his right ankle during a previous game.