The Skinny: The Tampa Bay Rays completed a very impressive series over the Los Angeles Angles with a win this afternoon in Tampa. The Rays swept the AL West leading Angels with their 8-5 win today and are now 21-16 on the season.
The Pitching: Andy Sonnanstine got the start for the Rays today and did not have his best stuff. Sonnanstine hung in there for five innings but gave up five runs on eight hits and received a no-decision. JP Howell relieved Sonnanstine and was absolutely terrific. Howell threw three shut out innings against the Angels and gave up only one hit. Troy Percival threw a scoreless ninth inning for his ninth save of the year.
The Hitting: The Rays bats got off to a hot start this afternoon, posting three runs in the first inning and going up 3-0. The Angels charged back and held a 5-4 lead in the heading into the sixth inning. However, Carl Crawford hit a three run homer to put the Rays up for good and helped secure the win. Iwamura, Crawford, and Upton, the top three in the Rays line up combined to go 9-15 and scored 7 of the teams 8 runs.
What’s Next?: The Rays will welcome the New York Yankees to town for a three game series starting tomorrow night. Matt Garza will start for the Rays. Game time is 7:10pm.
