Bregman and Peña homer as the AL West-leading Astros beat the Rays 3-2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Alex Bregman and Jeremy Peña homered, and the AL West-leading Houston Astros won their seventh consecutive game by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Yusel Kikuchi (6-9) allowed one run and three hits over 5 2/3 innings to go 2-0 in three starts with the Astros since being acquired from Toronto on July 29.

Josh Hader got three outs for his 26th save in 27 chances for the Astros, who increased their division lead to 1 1/2 games over Seattle. The Mariners lost 15-1 at Detroit.

“Just urgency, there’s fire,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “This a team that loves winning. They know how to win. They stay together. We fight through up and downs, and that’s the character and makeup of this team. It’s what makes this group so special.”

Hader has converted a franchise-record 26 consecutive saves.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases on two singles and a walk with one out in the eighth against struggling reliever Ryan Pressly. Brandon Lowe made it 3-2 on a one-hop fielder's choice before Christopher More hit a grounder to end the inning. Pressly has allowed a run in four straight appearances.

“He's good physically,” Espada said. “He got out of that inning. He's making his pitches, and they're putting some swings on pitches that he's executing."

Junior Caminero, the majors' No. 2 prospect, was recalled from Triple-A Durham by the Rays and had an infield hit and struck out three times. The 21-year-old got his right leg tangled with catcher Victor Caratini on a first-inning foul at the plate and favored it again after a swinging strike three.

“I felt very good,” Caminero said through a translator. “I tried to keep my focus. I think that was the main important part.”

Caminero, who appeared in seven games with Tampa Bay last season, made a couple strong defensive plays at third base.

Tampa Bay (59-60) dropped under .500 after losing for the sixth time in eight games.

Bregman set a career high with a homer in his fourth consecutive game, a solo shot in the fifth. Peña's solo drive off Shane Baz (0-2) put the Astros ahead 3-1. Bregman had three hits.

Baz gave up three runs and seven hits over a career-high seven innings in his seventh start since returning from Tommy John surgery. The right-hander hasn't recorded a win since July 3, 2022.

The Rays took a 1-0 lead in the second due to the hustling of José Caballero, who turned a two-out ground single into a double when he saw left fielder Chas McCormick not charging in on the ball. Caballero then scored on a single by Josh Lowe.

“A little more urgency out of Chas,” Espada said.

Houston tied it at 1 on Yainer Diaz's third-inning RBI single.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (neck) will throw 70 to 75 pitches in his second minor league rehab start on Thursday, and could be back next week.

UP NEXT

Astros RHP Ronel Blanco (9-6, 3.02 ERA) will face Rays RHP Zack Littell (5-8, 4.11 ERA) on Wednesday night.

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

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman lines a double off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena celebrates his home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers (6) makes a sliding catch on a fly out by Tampa Bay Rays' Christopher Morel during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

**CORRECTS PLAYERS LEFT AND RIGHT**Tampa Bay Rays' Jose Caballero, center, celebrates with Christopher Morel, left, and Richie Palacios, right, after scoring on an RBI single by Josh Lowe off Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero drops his bat after hitting a single off Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman (2) celebrates with third base coach Gary Pettis after hitting a solo home run offTampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman makes a leaping catch on a pop foul by Tampa Bay Rays' Josh Lowe during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays' Jose Caballero, center, celebrates with Christopher Morel, right, and Richie Palacios, left, after scoring on an RBI single by Josh Lowe off Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, of Japan, delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz delivers to the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Newly called up Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, left, works on drills with Brady Williams before a baseball game against the Houston Astros Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

If you’re thinking about buying a new car but don’t need one right away, now is a great time to show a little patience. Generally, waiting until the fall of winter can create an opportunity to purchase an all-new or significantly updated vehicle. The 2025 model year is jam-packed with big updates for some of the most popular vehicles. To give you an inside scoop on what’s coming down the pike in the next few months, the automotive experts at Edmunds have picked five vehicles that promise to be well worth the wait.

Cadillac’s Optiq SUV will be a new option for electric SUV shoppers who might have otherwise considered an Audi Q4 e-tron, Genesis GV60 or Tesla Model Y. A follow-up to the larger Lyriq luxury SUV, the smaller, less expensive Optiq targets the mainstream in a big way. Considering the standard all-wheel drive, 300 horsepower and estimated 300 miles of range, it should be compelling. Another reason to be excited is that Cadillac’s hands-free Super Cruise driving feature is standard equipment. Edmunds has found Super Cruise to be beneficial in making driving in heavy traffic less fatiguing.

Estimated on-sale date: Late 2024

Starting price: $54,390, including destination

Mazda’s CX-50 is Edmunds top-ranked small SUV. It boasts a classy interior, sporty handling and a decent off-road capability. For 2025, the CX-50 will add hybrid fuel efficiency to the mix as well. The new hybrid version will borrow its powertrain from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. While there is not an official EPA figure yet, Mazda estimates it will get 38 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That’s 10 mpg better than the CX-50’s most efficient base engine. With 219 horsepower, the hybrid is more powerful, too.

Estimated on-sale date: Late 2024

Starting price: $35,390, including destination

The Ram 1500 REV will be the automaker’s first electric truck. Its dual electric motors will produce up to 654 horsepower and allow a max tow rating of 14,000 pounds. That’s significantly more than the 10,000-pound maximum towing capacities of the electric Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Two battery options will be available. The standard pack should propel the 1500 REV to an estimated 350 miles while the bigger battery will be good for an estimated 500 miles of range. Ram also says the 1500 EV will have multiple household-style power outlets to power tools and equipment for recreational use, job sites and more.

Estimated on-sale date: Late 2024

Estimated starting price: $65,000

A new 911 is always a big deal, but this one is particularly special. For 2025, the 911 is going hybrid. However, Porsche didn’t hybridize its iconic sports car just for better fuel economy. Here, the hybrid is about performance. The powertrain exclusive to the 911 GTS combines a turbocharged flat-six engine with a hybrid system to produce an impressive 532 horsepower. Besides the extra oomph, the hybrid system also helps to improve responsiveness at low rpm. Other changes for all 2025 911s include standard rear-axle steering and a fully digital dashboard.

On-sale date: Available now

911 GTS starting price: $166,895, including destination

Toyota’s 4Runner is getting a much-needed overall for 2025. This midsize SUV is thoroughly modern but still has all the qualities that made prior editions so popular. Toyota has dropped the old V6 in favor of a new turbocharged four-cylinder good for 278 horsepower. A 326-horsepower hybrid version will also be available. Inside, the new 4Runner sports an available 14-inch center touchscreen and chunky control knobs and switches. Of course, the latest 4Runner won’t skimp on off-road capability. The new Trailhunter version, for example, will have additional ground clearance, 33-inch off-road tires, a locking rear differential and more.

Estimated on-sale date: Fall 2024

Estimated starting price: $42,000

The 2025 model year is jam-packed with big updates for some of the most popular vehicles on the market. These models we listed above will have some significant advantages over a vehicle in the here and now. Buyers shopping for new wheels will have a lot of exciting options to choose from in the next few months.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Chase Bierenkoven is a contributor at Edmunds and is on Twitter

This photo provided by Toyota shows the 2025 4Runner. The new 4Runner has new engines, an updated interior and even more off-road capability than before. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. via AP)

This photo provided by Porsche shows the 2025 911 GTS. The GTS has a new hybrid powertrain that significantly improves performance and low-speed responsiveness. (Courtesy of Porsche Cars North America, Inc. via AP)

This photo provided by Ram shows the 2025 Ram 1500 REV. It will be Ram's first all-electric pickup and will have up to an estimated 500 miles of range. (Courtesy of Stellantis via AP)

This photo provided by Mazda shows the 2025 CX-50. It receives a new hybrid powertrain option that will get close to 40 mpg. (Courtesy of Mazda North American Operations via AP)

This photo provided by Cadillac shows the 2025 Optiq. A small crossover SUV, the new Optiq is fully electric and comes standard with a hands-free driving feature. (Courtesy of General Motors via AP)