The Tampa Bay Rays used a four-run third inning to break out to a big early lead, holding on for a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels Monday in Anaheim.
Going up against left-hander Jose Quintana and not Shohei Ohtani as originally scheduled, Rays hitters struck out five times in the first two innings, but broke through in the third starting with a Francisco Mejia single, followed by a double by Willy Adames. Kevin Kiermaier struck out, and Randy Arozarena walked to load the bases for Mike Brosseau, whose single off the glove of David Fletcher and into left field made it 2-0.
Yandy Diaz and Manuel Margot added RBI singles to extend the lead to 4-0.
Adames made it 5-0 in the fourth with a solo shot off Quintana, his third of the year.
Rays starter Tyler Glasnow was dominant early, and helped himself on occasion, snagging a line shot by Fletcher back to him in the third.
But the Angels were able to get to Glasnow in the sixth, putting up three runs in the inning thanks to a two-run blast by Ohtani, his ninth of the year, and a solo shot by Anthony Rendon.
Los Angeles would get no closer, and Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson put up zeroes in the sevent and eighth to keep the lead at two runs.
Manuel Margot gave the Rays a little more breathing room, connecting for a two-run homer off reliever Raisel Iglesias to set the score. Diego Castillo allowed a leadoff walk to Jared Walsh, but got Albert Pujols to ground into a double play to end the game.
Tampa Bay will look to get back above .500 with their third consecutive win Tuesday. Left-hander Shane McClanahan (0-0, 4.50 ERA) will get the start, taking on former Ray Alex Cobb (1-1, 7.16 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 9:38.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
