ARLINGTON, Texas — An early four-run lead wasn’t enough for the Rays on Sunday, as a series of relievers faltered and attempts at a late comeback fell short.

The result was an 8-6 loss to the Rangers and at least a temporary slowdown in the march to their first playoff berth since 2023.

The defeat dropped the Rays’ American League-leading record to 85-58.

The Rays’ pitching problems started with Ian Seymour, who threw 47 pitches in the first two innings and lasted only three batters into the fourth. Manager Kevin Cash then used a parade of relievers — five in all — and none was untouched, though rookie Ty Johnson had a solid debut.

The Rays got off to a good start, building a 4-0 lead in a second-inning rally that got 10 men to the plate and featured their small-ball style play.

They got started with singles by speedy Chandler Simpson and Jonny DeLuca, then a fielder’s choice grounder by Jorge Mateo.

Victor Mesa Jr.’s single to left scored the first run, and Nick Fortes dropped a bunt to get the second home. Yandy Diaz followed with an RBI single, and a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Aranda made it 4-0.

The Rangers got one back when Jake Burger homered off Seymour. That’s not unusual, as the lefty was making his 18th appearance as a starter or bulk-inning pitcher behind an opener and has allowed long balls in 15 of them.

The Rays reextended their lead to four by working for another run in the fourth. Diaz led off with a single, Aranda doubled and Caminero delivered the run with a sacrifice fly, picking up his 92nd RBI.

Having thrown 47 pitches over the first two innings, Seymour didn’t seem likely to get deep into the game, and the end of his afternoon came quickly in the fourth.

He allowed a leadoff walk and another homer to Burger, cutting the Tampa Bay lead to 5-3, then a single. With Manny Rodriguez and Garrett Cleavinger going on the injured list in recent days, the Rays are down a couple of experienced relief options.

Reflecting the importance of the game, Cash went then to Kevin Kelly, who usually works in the later innings.

Kelly got two outs, but then an Ezequiel Duran grounder deflected off him, putting two on.

Veteran lefty Steven Matz came on and got the ground ball he wanted, but Jorge Mateo, getting a start at shortstop, bounced his throw to first and Aranda couldn’t scoop it, extending the inning.

That hurt when Justin Foscue followed with a two-run double that erased the Rays’ lead, tying the score 5-5.

The Rangers added two more in the fifth. Matz walked Burger, then gave up singles to Logan O’Hoppe and Elias Diaz for one run.

With two outs, Cash tried a third reliever, bringing in Casey Legumina, and he allowed a single to Duran that gave the Rangers a 7-5 lead.

The Rays cut their deficit to one in their seventh when Simpson singled with one out, stole second and scored on a single by DeLuca.

The Rangers added a run when Corey Seager homered in the eighth off Cole Sulser.

The Rays left after the game for Atlanta, where they open a series on Tuesday against the Braves.

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