By: John Mamola
Carlos Pena’s first career pinch hit home run in the eighth inning capped off an amazing comeback win as the Tampa Bay Rays win 10-8. The Rays found themselves down 8-0 on a late night in Anaheim, but clawed back scoring ten unanswered runs for what is their most impressive win of the 2012 season.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim wasted no time celebrating the 10th anniversary of the organizations lone World Series win with a little fireworks of their own. The Angels got to Rays starter Alex Cobb early and often.
American League rookie of the year candidate Mike Trout led off the Angels’ first inning with 23rd home run of the season putting the Angels up 1-0. The Angels added two more in the from courtesy of RBI singles from Kendrys Morales and Mark Trumbo. The Angels led after the first inning 3-0.
Alex Cobb’s struggles extended into the second inning again with Mike Trout wasn’t done with the 24 year old right hander. Trout’s added to the Angels lead in the second inning with an RBI single to make it 4-0 Angels. Torii Hunter piled on Cobb with an RBI double to left field to make it 5-0 Angels. Then Albert Pujols got into the mix with his 27th home run of the season. The two run blast put the Angels ahead 7-0 after two innings.
Cobb’s night would end following Trout’s third time against him as Trout collected his third RBI of the game in three at bats on an infield single scoring Eric Aybar to make it 8-0.
Cobb only lasted 2 2/3 innings allowing eight runs on twelve hits after coming into the game winning his last three starts allowing only three runs in 21 innings of work.
The Rays however refused to lay down and play out the game, in fact they scored the final ten runs of the game including seven in the top half of the fifth.
With one out and the bases loaded, Sam Fuld got things rolling with an RBI single to center getting the Rays on the board trailing 8-1. Desmond Jennings followed with a bases loaded walk making it 8-2 Angels.
Following a BJ Upton strike out, the rays scored five runs with two outs to close out the inning. Ben Zobrist cleared the bases with a double to left to trim the Angels lead to 8-5. Evan Longoria followed Zobrist with his second home run since returning from a partially torn hamstring getting the Rays to within one run. The Rays trailed 8-7.
Jose Lobaton’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning tied the game at eight a piece.
The Rays completed the comeback in the top of the eighth as Carlos Pena’s two run blast to the seats in right field lifted the Rays to a 10-8 lead.
Fernando Rodney came in to seal the win in the ninth and his league leading 38th save.
The Rays have scored 29 runs in 27 innings since being the victims of Felix Hernandez’ perfect game on Wednesday afternoon, and take a half game lead in the American League Wild Card race.
The Rays bullpen combined for 6 1/3 innings of work, only allowing 3 hits.
The Rays will look for a sweep of the Angels tomorrow afternoon as they send Matt Moore up against Zach Greinke for Los Angeles. You can catch all the action on 620am WDAE with a 3:00pm pre-game, and a 3:35pm first pitch.
