Caminero and Pepiot help the surging Rays beat the Tigers 8-3

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Junior Caminero, Danny Jansen and Christopher Morel each hit a solo homer, helping Ryan Pepiot and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 8-3 on Saturday.

Taylor Walls had two RBIs for Tampa Bay, and Yandy Díaz extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Pepiot (5-6) struck out seven while pitching five innings of one-run ball.

With its second straight win over AL Central-leading Detroit, Tampa Bay moved a season-best nine games over .500 at 43-34. The Rays are a major league-best 22-8 since May 20.

Jahmai Jones had an RBI double for Detroit, and Jake Rogers also drove in a run. Brant Hurter (2-3) recorded two outs as the opener and was charged with four unearned runs.

Caminero and Jansen connected in the fourth, giving Tampa Bay a 7-1 lead. Morel went deep in the seventh.

Paul Gervase, a 6-foot-10 prospect, made his major league debut in relief of Pepiot. He pitched two scoreless innings.

Hurter actually retired the first three batters, fanning Lowe and Caminero. But Lowe reached on a third-strike passed ball by Rogers. The Rays proceeded to bat around and score four times, chasing Hurter on Walls’ two-run single.

The Rays have scored a total of eight first-inning runs over the first two games in the series.

Right-hander Casey Mize (7-2, 2.96 ERA) pitches for Detroit on Sunday, and right-hander Zack Littell (6-7, 3.88 ERA) goes for Tampa Bay.

AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB

Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith (33) is out at second base as Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (8) turns a double play during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Pérez (46) is safe at second base as Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (6) throws to first during the eight inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays' Christopher Morel rounds the bases after his home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays' Christopher Morel rounds the bases after his home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Tampa Bay Rays' Christopher Morel rounds the bases after his home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

CINCINNATI (AP) — After opening the season as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Flacco will close the season as the backup for the Bengals as they face the Browns on Sunday.

Flacco was dealt to the Bengals in October and made six starts for the Bengals while Joe Burrow was out with a toe injury.

“I don’t really think about putting a label on it,” Flacco said. “It’s crazy. Seasons always go by quick once they’ve started. But the way that this one went, it seems like it flew by.”

During the summer, in Cleveland Browns training camp, Flacco won a competition for the starting quarterback job and made four starts for Cleveland. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Flacco threw for 290 yards.

He said that over the past 17 weeks, he has seen improvement from the Bengals defense. Now, he refers to the Bengals defense as his team’s defense.

“We’re stopping the run,” Flacco said. “We’re getting more pressure on the quarterback. When you combine those two things, it’s going to help you out.”

While Flacco went 1-5 as a starter in Cincinnati, the 40-year-old played well. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

Flacco said that he developed a lot of respect for Bengals coach Zac Taylor.

“He has a lot of strengths,” Flacco said. “He’s really good at what he does. His demeanor, his overall personality and the way he leads men is really good. The way he puts game plans together. Also, he’s willing to allow it to be collaborative. That’s a strength. His game day play-calling is also something he does really well.”

Burrow took over as the starter when he returned on Thanksgiving, and Flacco has been the backup over the past month.

Flacco will be a free agent again at the end of the season. As he evaluates his options, he’s hoping to find another chance to play and to start.

“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said. “I’m somebody who wants to play football. You’ve got to assess and see whatever is thrown your way. You have to go from there and see what you can do about it.”

He said that he’d be open to returning to the Bengals, but he’ll weigh several factors.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Flacco said. “I don’t hope to do anything. I have an idea of maybe of what some goals would be. I’ll go from there and see what happens.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco throws during pregame warmups before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)