DETROIT — So much for that momentum carrying over from Sunday’s inspiring win over the Minnesota Twins.

The Tampa Bay Rays didn’t have much going for them in Monday’s series opener against the major-league best Detroit Tigers, losing 5-1.

The loss was the Rays’ seventh in their last 10 games, dropping them to 49-42.

Starter Shane Baz put them in a 2-0 hole in the second by allowing a two-run homer to Javier Baez on an 0-2 pitch, and that was pretty much it.

The Rays got one run back in the third when Taylor Walls drew a one-out walk, went to second on a Danny Jansen single and scored on a two-out single by All-Star Jonathan Aranda.

But they lost a chance for more when Tigers right fielder Zach McKinstry made a strong throw to third that nabbed Jansen.

The Tigers added another run off Baz in the fifth when Colt Keith led off with a double and scored on a two-out single by Riley Greene.

Baz ended up working six innings, allowing the three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven. His record dropped to 8-4 with a 4.34 ERA.

Keith and McKinstry homered off reliever Paul Gervase in a three-batter span in the seventh to make it 5-1.

The Rays managed only five hits off right-hander Keider Montero, who was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to make the start, and three relievers.

The Rays got a slight scare in the eighth when third baseman Junior Caminero momentarily grabbed, then dropped a foul ball and crashed over the railing, through the netting into the stands. He was helped up, checked out and stayed in the game.

Tuesday: at Tigers

6:40 p.m. ET, Comerica Park, Detroit

Pitchers: Rays — RH Ryan Pepiot (6-6, 3.34); Tigers — RH Jack Flaherty (5-9, 4.84)

Info: raysbaseball.com

On deck

Wednesday: at Tigers, 1:10 p.m. Rays — RH Zack Littell (7-7, 3.50); Tigers — RH Reese Olson (4-3, 2.89)

Thursday: at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. Rays — RH Taj Bradley (5-6, 4.79); Red Sox —TBA

Friday: at Red Sox, 7:10 p.m. Rays — RH Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.82); Red Sox — TBA

Saturday: at Red Sox, 4:10 p.m. Rays — RH Shane Baz (8-3, 4.33): Red Sox — TBA

Sunday: at Red Sox, 1:35 p.m. Rays — RH Ryan Pepiot (6-6, 3.34); Red Sox — TBA

July 14-17: All-Star break

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