Rays 4, Angels 1
Chris Archer pitched seven strong innings while David DeJesus recorded two hits, an RBI and two runs scored as host Tampa Bay snapped a three-game losing streak.
Archer (8-5) allowed one run and five hits with five strikeouts before Joel Peralta pitched a perfect eighth and Fernando Rodney fanned two in a flawless ninth for his 31st save. Ben Zobrist added two hits and an RBI for the Rays, who remained 2 1/2 games behind first-place Boston in the American League East.
J.B. Shuck and Mike Trout each registered a pair of hits for the Angels, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. Garrett Richards (4-6) struggled through 3 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits - six singles - and three walks.
DeJesus doubled to lead off the first inning, moved to third on a single by Zobrist and scored on Matt Joyce’s sacrifice fly to give the Rays the game’s first run. DeJesus singled off Richards’ right leg to bring home the first run of a three-run fourth. Zobrist’s RBI single and an error pushed Tampa Bay’s lead to 4-0.
Archer had three perfect innings through the first six and allowed only one runner to reach second base. Trout, who posted his 51st multi-hit game of the season, singled to lead off the seventh and later scored on Kole Calhoun’s sacrifice fly to get the Angels on the board.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Tampa Bay is 10-1 when Archer pitches at least six innings this year and 1-5 when he does not. … Angels RF Josh Hamilton extended his road hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the seventh inning. … Rays RHP Jake Odorizzi will be recalled to make the start against Angels LHP Jason Vargas in the rubber match of the three-game series Thursday afternoon.