Astros at the plate: Michael Bourn displayed the speed that enabled him to steal 41 bases in 2008 when he legged out an infield hit in the first inning. He then walked in his second at-bat and stole his third base of the spring before scoring Houston's first run when Edwin Maysonet doubled to left in the third inning.

Rays at the plate: Jason Bartlett led off the game with his third double of the spring. Reid Brignac homered leading off the third after starting the exhibition season 0-for-11. Ray Sadler continued to swing an impressive bat by hitting a two-run double in Tampa Bay's 10-run third inning; he followed with an RBI double in the fourth.

Astros on the mound: Right-hander Brandon Backe made his first start and second appearance of the spring and allowed four earned runs in two innings before leaving the game in the third with no outs and the bases loaded. Righty Samuel Gervacio took over for Backe and walked in three runs by issuing consecutive free passes to Pat Burrell, Gabe Kapler and Dioner Navarro. Polin Trinidad relieved Gervacio, and the wildness continued, as the left-hander walked Adam Kennedy to bring in the Rays' fifth run.

Rays on the mound: Jeff Niemann, who is in the hunt for the No. 5 slot in the rotation, started and allowed one run on two hits while walking one and striking out five in three innings.

Grapefruit League records: Astros 1-5; Rays 3-4

Up next: The Rays will experience a little international flavor Wednesday by playing a team preparing for the World Baseball Classic. Tampa Bay will play the Puerto Rican national team Wednesday in a 7:05 p.m. ET contest at Charlotte Sports Park. Right-hander Mitch Talbot will start for the Rays and will be followed by left-hander Randy Choate and right-handers Lance Cormier, Winston Abreu and Chad Orvella. Lefty Jonathan Sanchez will start for Puerto Rico