Houston Astros fans gloat as team ends Tampa Bay Rays’ home winning streak with a shutout win: "All fun and games until you play with the big dogs" 

On Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, the Houston Astros defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-0, thanks to a sterling performance from pitcher Luis Garcia. The loss ended the Rays' impressive streak of 14 consecutive home victories to open the 2023 season.

Garcia pitched six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out seven, marking his second consecutive scoreless outing.

Astros fans were quick to mock the Rays supporters with the classic "you finally played a real team" taunt, despite Tampa Bay winning 8-3 in the series opener on Monday.

The Rays' impressive start to the season had seen them claim 14 consecutive victories at Tropicana Field, the second-longest home win streak to start a season in MLB history. They were closing in on the all-time record of 15 straight home wins to start a season, set by the 1907 New York Giants, before the Astros' victory on Tuesday.

For the second consecutive game, the Rays failed to hit a home run, although they still hold the best record in the major leagues at 20-4.

What made the Astros' victory even more impressive was that they achieved it without some of their key players in the lineup. Among the team's big hitters in Tuesday's contest were under-the-radar threats in Corey Julks, Mauricio Dubon, and Jake Meyers.

While the defeat was disappointing for the Rays, it was highly unlikely that the team would go 81-0 at Tropicana Field. With the Baltimore Orioles also losing to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, Tampa Bay still has a 4.5-game lead in the ultra-competitive American League East.

Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays play series finale Wednesday

Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros bits in the sixth inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays

The Astros and Rays play for the series win at 6:40 pm Wednesday night, as Hunter Brown starts for Houston against Tampa Bay's Calvin Faucher.