The Tampa Bay Rays have reached 5 games over .500. The record is the best for the Rays so far this season and has moved Tampa Bay into 2nd place alone in the American League East. It wasn’t easy, but Jacob Faria kept the Rays in the game with 6 ⅔ innings of 1-run ball. The game went to extra innings and Brad Miller was the hero again with a clutch double in the 10th to get the 2-1 victory.
The Rays tendency of scoring runs early picked up right where it left off prior to the All Star break. Evan Longoria connected and sent a ball into the seats to give the Rays a 1-0 lead in the 1st. The Angels would match that solo shot in the 2nd inning when Albert Pujols sent one just over the glove of Mallex Smith to tie the game at 1.
From there on it was a pitcher’s duel. The Longoria home run was the Rays’ only hit until Longoria led off the top of the 7th with a double. He was left stranded at 3rd though after Ricky Nolasco got Wilson Ramos to ground into an inning ending double play. Jacob Faria did his best to match Nolasco in what was a hometown start for the rookie.
The Rays found themselves in trouble in the bottom half of that inning. Faria was taken out of the game with 2 outs and Adam Kolarek only lasted 1 pitch after hitting a batter. Tommy Hunter then came in to face Mike Trout. He got the slugger to ground to 2nd base, but Logan Morrison had to make a fantastic play to stay on the bag at 1st to get the Rays out of the inning after a wild throw from Brad Miller.
Both bullpens would do their job to keep the game tied and we headed for extra innings. After Miller’s HR beat the Red Sox on Sunday, the 2nd baseman would be the hero again. He doubled off of the wall to score Ramos and take a 2-1 lead. Alex Colome came in to close it out and retired the top of the Angels order to secure the victory.
The Rays will be back in action on the west coast Saturday night. Alex Cobb will take to the mound for the Rays to face JC Ramirez and the Angels. Coverage starts at 8 pm with Steve Carney and the Inside Pitch with 1st pitch scheduled for 9:07 right here on 620 WDAE.