The Tampa Bay Rays (59-58) defeated the Baltimore Orioles (70-49) 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. With the win the Rays avoided being swept in the three-game divisional series.
Anthony Santandar hit a solo homer off Jeffrey Springs in the fourth inning to give Baltimore a 1-0 lead. That would be the only offense of the night as Springs allowed six hits in his five innings of work, striking out eight and walking one.
The Rays got a RBI single from Dylan Carlson in the seventh to tie the game 1-1. Then Curtis Mead hit a sacrifice fly to give the Rays a 2-1 lead that would lift Tampa Bay to the win.
After Springs was lifted after five innings, Edwin Uceta came in and allowed one hit in two shutout innings. Manuel Rodriguez (2-2, 2.01) picked up the win out of the bullpen with a scoreless eighth inning, then Pete Fairbanks struck out the side while allowing one hit in the ninth to earn his 23rd save of the season.
The Rays remain at home and will begin a three-game series against the Houston Astros beginning on Monday night. Taj Bradley (6-6, 3.07) is scheduled to start for the Rays and face Framber Valdez (11-5, 3.46) for Houston. First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 6:50 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES