Angels 6, Rays 5
Erick Aybar recorded four RBIs, including a go-ahead two-run double in the ninth inning, as visiting Los Angeles rallied to win its fourth straight game.
Aybar also singled home a pair of runs in the seventh to bring the Angels within 5-4 and Mike Trout belted his 23rd homer in the fourth. A walk and an error by center fielder Desmond Jennings on J.B. Shuck’s blooper set up Aybar’s line drive into the gap in right-center field off Rays closer Fernando Rodney (5-4) in the ninth.
Ernesto Frieri (2-4) pitched a scoreless eighth for the victory and former Tampa Bay reliever Dane De La Rosa worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to earn his second save. Jose Molina went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and James Loney knocked in a pair of runs for Tampa Bay, which dropped 2 1/2 games behind first-place Boston in the American League East.
Molina’s RBI double in the second inning gave the Rays a 1-0 lead before Trout belted an estimated 458-foot solo blast to center - the longest home run at Tampa Bay this season. Molina’s two-run double in the fifth put Tampa Bay in front 3-1 and Loney doubled the advantage in the sixth with a two-out, two-run single.
Aybar’s sharp two-run single to left field capped a three-run rally as Los Angeles pulled within 5-4. Tampa Bay starter Roberto Hernandez went six-plus innings, allowing three runs and eight hits while striking out six.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Rays optioned RHP Jeremy Hellickson - 0-5 in his last six starts - to Class-A Charlotte for rest and recalled LHP Jeff Beliveau from Triple-A Durham. Hellickson is not expected to pitch for the Stone Crabs and Rays manager Joe Maddon said he would be back in September. … Los Angeles starter C.J. Wilson gave up three runs and eight hits over five innings as his unbeaten streak reached nine starts. … Molina was 0-for-13 with four strikeouts in his career against Wilson before going 3-for-3 against him Tuesday.