The Los Angeles Angels (20-11) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (18-12) 11-3 late Monday night in Anaheim.
Randy Arozarena hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning to give the Rays an early lead, but Jared Walsh answered with a three-run bomb in the bottom of the fourth to give the Angels a 3-1 lead. In the sixth inning Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani went back to back to give Los Angeles a 6-1 lead.
Though the Rays got a couple back in the top of the seventh, the Angels got some separation in the bottom of the seventh with a five-run frame. Ohtani's second homer of the game - a grand slam - put an exclamation point on this game for the Rays.
Noah Syndergaard (3-1, 2.45) pitched five and one-third innings in which he allowed one earned run on seven hits while striking out seven and walking one to set the tone on the mound for the Angels. Jeffrey Springs (1-1, 2.12) started the game for the Rays and allowed three earned runs on three hits while striking out four and walking none.
Perhaps most concerning for the Rays was that Manuel Margot, named AL Player of the Week earlier in the day on Monday, left the game with right hamstring discomfort. Rays manager Kevin Cash said after the game he hoped it was just hamstring tightness and that they will follow up with Margot on Tuesday.
The Rays look to bounce back and even the series on Tuesday night. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 9:38 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher hosting the Inside Pitch at 8:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES