Rays clip Cubs

Joe Maddon’s Tampa Bay reunion didn’t go quite the way he wanted. Tim Beckham homered, and the Rays hung on to beat the Chicago Cubs 6-5 on Tuesday. Beckham’s two-run home run highlighted a five-run fourth inning against pitcher Jon Lester. Alex Colome gave up two runs in the ninth inning, but the Rays won their first meeting against their former manager since he left for Chicago following the 2014 season.

CHICAGO — Joe Maddon’s Tampa Bay reunion didn’t go quite the way he wanted.

Tim Beckham homered, and the Rays hung on to beat the Chicago Cubs 6-5 on Tuesday.

Beckham’s two-run drive highlighted a five-run fourth against Jon Lester (5-5). Alex Colome gave up two runs in the ninth, but the Rays won their first meeting against their former manager since he left for Chicago following the 2014 season.

Maddon chatted with Evan Longoria and some of his former staffers, such as pitching coach Jim Hickey and third base coach Tom Foley, as the Rays took batting practice.

The Rays got the final word even though things got tense near the end. Colome threw 38 pitches in the ninth but came away with his 22nd save in 26 chances.

He gave up a leadoff single to pinch-hitter Albert Almora Jr. and walked Jon Jay to put runners on first and second. After Kris Bryant popped out, Anthony Rizzo lined an RBI single to make it 6-4.

Ben Zobrist then bounced into a force to bring home another run. Ian Happ walked on a 3-2 pitch to put men on first and second, before Jason Heyward hit a fly to left.

Chris Archer (7-5) picked up his third victory in four starts, giving up 3 runs and 8 hits in 6 innings. The former Cubs prospect also had an RBI single after a fake bunt for his first career hit.

Lester lasted five innings. He tied a season-high by allowing six runs and gave up nine hits — all but one on ground balls.

The Rays sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth to break a 1-1 tie.