May 22, 2017

Jefry Marte scored the decisive run in the 7th inning, and the Angels defeated the Rays 3-2 on Monday night at Tropicana Field.

The Angels loaded the bases with two outs in the 7th, which brought Albert Pujols to the plate.  Pujols, who returned to the lineup after suffering from a hamstring injury, took a 1-1 pitch that got away from Rays reliever Jumbo Diaz, which allowed Marte to score.  Pujols was walked intentionally after that, then Luis Valbuena fouled out, which ended the inning with the Halos up 3-2.

JC Ramirez (4-3) got the win and pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up just 2 runs on 6 hits.  He struck out 5 and walked 1 in a 99-pitch performance.

The Halos got a solo homer from Cameron Maybin in the 5th, which tied the game at 2-2.  It was his 2nd long ball of the season.

David Hernandez, Jose Alvarez, and Bud Norris pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.  Norris got the final four outs to pick up his 9th save of the season.

Rays starter Jake Odorizzi gave up two runs on five hits while striking out eight in six innings.  Diaz (0-3) took the loss after giving up the decisive run in the 7th.

After the Angels took a 1-0 lead in the 1st on a sacrifice fly by Andrelton Simmons, the Rays got a pair of solo homers from Corey Dickerson and Logan Morrison to take a 2-1 lead after one inning.

The Halos will be back in action tomorrow night in game 2 of the series at Tropicana Field.  Matt Shoemaker (3-2, 4.47 ERA) gets the start for the Angels, while the Rays go with Alex Cobb (4-3, 3.67 ERA).