The Tampa Bay Rays (34-23) defeated the St. Louis Cardinals (32-2) 2-1 on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The win gives Tampa Bay a sweep of St. Louis in the three-game interleague series in St. Petersburg.
Shane McClanahan got the start and was dazzling. He pitched eight innings in which he allowed just one unearned run on two hits while striking out nine and walking one. Jason Adam faced just three batters in the top of the ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season.
Ji-Man Choi hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning that would be the only offense the Rays would need. The Cardinals got their only run in the sixth inning, when Albert Pujols reached on a throwing error from Shane McClanahan that allowed Paul Goldschmidt to score.
The game was played in just one hour and fifty-four minutes, one minute longer than the franchise record for fastest game for the Rays.
The Rays now begin a nine game road trip when they go to Minnesota to begin a weekend series with the Twins. First pitch on Friday night is scheduled for 8:10 PM at Target Field in Minneapolis - Neil Solondz begins pregame coverage at 7:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES