Game 1: This game was scoreless until the 6th, the Rays broke it open with a 4-run 8th to go up 6-0, and then held on to beat the Dodgers 6-3 in the opener at Publix Park. Dave Rose (6-1) was utterly dominant at 6 4 0 0 2 11 and lasted long enough for the win when Juan Davila singled in the game's first run. Beau Bonczek then provided what turned out to be necessary runs with a grand slam (#13) in the 8th as Steve Ravin gave up a 3-run Dodger homer in the 9th.
Game 2: The Rays squandered a 4-0 lead in this one, but then won it when Beau Bonczek (#14) homered in the 8th inning again to break a 4-4 tie and Ruben Ramirez went back-to-back with his 7th. Before all that they had the early lead when Juan Davila and Dante Chinchilla each drove in a pair while Rex Bransington was cruising before a key Luis Barela opened the floodgates for 4 LA runs in the 6th. Human good-luck charm Willie Navarro (6-1) got the win and Steve Talbott had a 1-2-3 9th for save #15.
Game 3: Tampa Bay did everything to keep giving this game back to LA but ending up winning anyway 10-8. Juan Davila homered twice (#17 & 18), tripled and drove in 4 runs to help the Rays to a 7-1 lead before LA struck for 5 in the 6th to cut the lead to 7-6. A 3-run 8th including a 2-run Jon McGovern double and Luis Barela's 18th homer made it 10-6, but Steve Ravin couldn't be trusted with the 4-run lead putting two men in scoring position whom Steve Talbott let score although he still recorded save #16. Chad Winger (4-3) got the win despite a tough 5.1 6 5 5 1 6 line although Mike Bertram let his inherited runners score. Davila is having an incredible year (368/421/709 with 18 HR & 47 RBI).
Team record: 41-12. The division lead was not expanded as the Yankees swept San Diego. Next up: 3 games in Cincinnati.
