The Tampa Bays couldn’t finish a sweep of the Kansas City Royals but still had a very strong weekend. They won on Sunday 9-2 but lost an afternoon game on Monday by a score of 7-4. The Rays are now 55-33 this season. They are still in first place in the American League Central.
James Shields started and got the win for the Rays on Sunday in Tampa. Shields lasted seven innings and gave up only 2 ER while striking out eight batters. Shields upped his record to 7-5 this season. Gary Glover and Trever Miller threw the last two innings. At the plate the Rays were led by Carlos Pena and BJ Upton. Pena went 3-5 with a pair of RBI while Upton went 2-4 with two RBI. Evan Longoria and Gabe Gross each homered for Tampa Bay.
On Monday, Matt Garza started and pitched pretty well but got a no-decision. He went 6.2 innings and gave up three runs while striking out five batters. With the game tied at 3-3 in the tenth inning Dan Wheeler came on to pitch for the Rays. Wheeler has been lights out this season out of the Rays pen, today however, was not his day. Wheeler went 10 innings and gave up four runs, three of them earned. He picked up his fourth loss of the season. The Rays were down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning but tied the game on a Carlos Pena solo homer. The Rays got three hits and a homer from Eric Hinske in defeat.
The Rays will start a two game series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Scott Kazmir is scheduled to start for Tampa Bay. Game time is set for 7:05pm.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
The Rays are still in first place in the American League Central? Ooops! They’re leading the A.L. EAST.