The Tampa Bay Rays and the LA Angels battled 9 hard innings.  The Rays were going for their second sweep of the Angels in The Trop.  The Rays fell a bit short but still won this series and the season series form the Angels in a potential match up of playoff teams.

Matt Garza looked good his first few innings but ran into a hurdle in the 3^rd.  Garza allowed 4 runs in the 4^th inning with a combination of walks and hits.  He remained poised on the mound and didn’t allow another run.  Garza pitched 6 2/3 giving up a total of 7 hits and recording 7 K’s.  Garza did not figure in the decision as Grant Balfour ended up with the loss.

The Rays offense was up and down all game long.  They posted a 3 spot on the board in the 2^nd inning and were held silent until the 8^th when Carlos Pena doubled in the tying run.  Gabe Gross had some impressive at bats during this game.  Gross was 2 for 2 with 2 BB, 1 RBI and 1 run scored.   

The Rays hit the road to open a 3 game series with the Chicago White Sox.  Everyone keeps talking about the fact the Rays are going to spend a great deal of time on the road the next month.  They are not mentioning that the Rays have the best record in MLB since the All Star break – many of those victories were on the road!  They have yet to lose a series since the All Star break as well. I don’t see the Rays letting their intensity falter – they are hungry!  They are out to prove the world wrong! 

See you in Chicago!  Go Rays!