Game 1: The Rays blew a 6-1 8th-inning lead, but still managed to pull out victory much later beating Baltimore 7-6 in 15 innings on Sung-min Yang's solo homer (#16). It looked like a stroll in the park as Jesus Avalos knocked in 3, including a 2-run homer (#29) and Kang-cheol Lee went yard for the fourth time in four days (#16). Erik Witten was solid in his start at 4.2 5 1 1 2 4 but the wheels came off in the 8th when Julio Baez allowed 3 runs and then Mario Berumen had a rare blown save in the 9th although a Dantel Chinchilla error made both the runs unearned. On and on we went after that until Yang hit his shot and made a winner of Steve Cleland (4-2).
Game 2: Tampa Bay had the easy game they thought they were getting yesterday as they made five straight with a comfortable 8-2 triumph over the Orioles. Dave Rose (16-8) bounced back from his mauling in Minnesota by going 7 7 2 2 1 9 for the win and backup catcher Cesar Scroggins dealt the big blow, a 2nd-inning grand slam (#4). Ezequiel Avalos (#20) and Jose Machado (#13) also found the seats.
Game 3: The Rays completed their second straight series sweep but once again they made it harder than it had to be, losing another 8th-inning lead before prevailing in extras, this time 5-4 in 11. Melvin Lopez was in fine form at 6.2 4 2 2 1 4 and the Rays led 4-2 but Adan Guardado coughed up a game-tying 2-run homer in the 8th to see another late advantage evaporate. They then loaded the bases in the 11th and Dantel Chinchilla's sac fly brought home the winner. Mario Berumen went to 6-1, throwing three scoreless innings on only 24 pitches. Earlier Jesus Avalos had a 2-run triple but in the process tweaked his groin and will be out for three days.
Team record: 85-52. And just as the Rays are on a hot streak the Yankees have gone ice cold, losing two more times to now fall 5 1/2 back in the division, reducing the Tampa Bay magic number to 20. Next up: A return home for 3 against Toronto.
J.Avalos' big week was recognized by the league:
