The Tampa Bay Rays (25-6) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates (20-11) 8-1 on Wednesday evening at Tropicana Field. The Rays have now won the series against the team that came into Tropicana Field with the best record in the National League.
After the Pirates got on the board in the top of the third, the Rays answered with a three-run bottom of the frame in which they capitalized on a fielding error by Pirates shortstop Rodolfo Castro. The Rays added two more in the fifth inning - this time thanks in part to an error by Pirates second baseman Ji Hwan Bae.
Shane McClanahan 6-0, 2.03) allowed one earned run on five hits while striking out nine and walking two in six innings of work to get the win. Chase Anderson worked the final three shutout innings to earn the three-inning save.
The Rays will now look to sweep the Pirates in the series finale on Thursday afternoon. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 1:10 PM on Thursday - Jay Recher begins pregame coverage with the Iside Pitch at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMGAES