*Photo from ESPN*
This team does have some good players despite a tough offseason. Mike Trout homered, Taylor Ward drove in the game winning run, and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Wednesday in St. Petersburg.
After an extra innings tilt in the second game of the series, the Angels had a rally of their own in this showdown, scoring twice in the 9th to sneak past the Rays, now sitting at 9-9 on the season. Trout, Ward, and Anthony Rendon led the team in the batter's box.
Los Angeles manager Ron Washington said of the win that "You’ve got to be resilient and keep driving and we did. Tonight was another hell of a ballgame, but this time we came out on top. We did a good job of experiencing what we went through last night and coming out there night and just trying to play the game and take it to them. I think we showed what we’re made of."
Trout gave the Angels a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a solo home run to center field, his 8th of the season. Jose Siri tied the game for the Rays in the second with a sac fly. In the 5th, Rendon hit an RBI single to score Nolan Schanuel and make it 2-1 Angels. Luis Rengifo added an RBI double to make it 3-1 in the 6th inning.
Randy Arozarena got the Rays to a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the 6th with an RBI single that score Yandy Diaz. In the 8th inning, Amed Rosario blasted a two run home run to center field, putting the Rays ahead 4-3. Rendon tied the game 4-4 in the 9th on an RBI single. He then scored on Ward's game winning single not long after.
Angels reliever Hunter Strickland said after the game that "Last night was a long night and it was a battle for both teams. It was fun but we didn't come out on top. But to be able to bounce back and continue fighting was a good time and I think it's gonna carry us a long way."
Reid Detmers started for the Angels, allowing two runs on 7 hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings. Adam Cimber came on and pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. Strickland picked up the win, throwing two innings and giving up two runs.
Zack Littell gave up 3 runs on 8 hits in 5 2/3 innings in his start for the Rays. Chris Devenski finished the 6th before Shawn Armstrong pitched a scoreless 7th. Kevin Kelly had a shutout 8th inning before Pete Fairbanks blew the save opportunity in the 9th, also getting tagged with the loss.
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said after the loss that "Without a doubt this group is too good, too talented to stay at this inconsistent pace that we're at. I really believe in this group, and for good reason. They've got a track record of being really successful. It's just not happening right now."
The series wraps up Thursday afternoon. The Angels go for the series win with Griffin Canning getting the start. Ryan Pepiot takes the mound for the Rays as they try to split the 4 game series.
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