Rays 3, Rangers 1 (11)
Ben Zobrist belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the 11th inning - the first walkoff homer of his career - as Tampa Bay won a pitchers' duel to claim the series opener versus Texas.
After mustering just four hits in the first 10 innings, the Rays ended the evening in impressive fashion after B.J. Upton's leadoff walk was followed by Zobrist's heroics. Zobrist, who struck out twice and was hitless in his previous three at-bats, deposited an offering from Mark Lowe (0-1) over the wall in right field for his 16th homer of the season.
Evan Longoria belted his second homer in three games with a fourth-inning blast for the Rays, who remained 1 1/2 games behind American East-leading New York. The Yankees posted an 8-5 win over Baltimore on Friday.
Wade Davis (3-0) was brilliant in his two innings of work, recording five of the six outs by strikeout. Tampa Bay pitchers combined to allow just one hit and fan eight in five innings of relief of starter Jeremy Hellickson.
Michael Young launched his third homer in five contests for the Rangers, who fell for just the fifth time in 16 games and saw their lead in the American League West dip to 4 1/2 games over Oakland.
Derek Holland struck out a career-high 11 over eight sizzling innings, but settled for a no-decision. Holland pitched far better than his last outing versus the Rays on Aug. 27, when he yielded five runs in six innings in a 6-5 win.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Tampa Bay LHP David Price will miss Saturday's start because of a sore throwing shoulder. Price will be replaced by RHP Chris Archer, who was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Friday. ... The Rangers will give Matt Harrison some extra rest and tabbed veteran Roy Oswalt to start Sunday's tilt. ... Desmond Jennings went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts after hitting safely in 10 of his last 11 games. ... Texas released LHP Miguel de los Santos, who had been designated for assignment last week.