The Los Angeles Angels came into Tampa Bay and lost the first two games of a three game series. They fell behind early tonight against the Rays, but came back and won the finale of the series 5-4. The Rays record fell to 77-49, they are a half game behind the Angels.
Matt Garza started on the mound for the Rays and didn’t have his best start of the season. Garza lasted 6.2 innings and gave up four earned runs after the Rays took a 3-0 lead. Grant Balfour got hit with the loss as he gave up a run in the top of the ninth that broke up the 4-4 tie. Balfour’s loss drops him to 3-2 this season.
The Rays got three runs early in the second inning. Gabe Gross and Shawn Riggans each singled in a run while Jason Bartlett tripled in a run. The Angles came charging back to take a 4-3 lead heading into the 8th inning. In the bottom of the 8th Carlos Pena doubled in a run to tie things back up at four. Gross and Eric Hinske each had two hits to lead the Rays.
The Rays will take a day off on Thursday before heading to Chicago to start a series with the White Sox. Edwin Jackson will start the opener.
