Jeremy Hellickson helps Tampa Bay Rays shutout Los Angeles Angels 2-0 – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays showed great character and composure as they shutout the Los Angeles Angels 2-0 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California on Sunday, July 29 in the finale of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Credit should be given to the starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson who made quick work of the Angels’ hitting line-up for his sixth win of the season. Overall, Hellickson gave up just a two hits with five strike-outs to lower his ERA to 3.23.
Relief pitchers Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta continued rotation’s excellent working, pitching two scoreless innings. Closer Fernando Rodney allowed just two hits in the ninth for his 30th save of the season.
"I just had a little stomach ache and got a little lightheaded there toward the end," Hellickson said. "It was hot today, and that was probably the reason. I felt good enough to go out there. I took some stuff before the game, but it kind of caught up with
me those last few innings. I felt I had to give us five or six to save the bullpen. My arm felt good, and that's all I really needed."
Angels’ starter Zack Greinke pitched seven effective innings. However, despite striking-out eight, he ended up on the losing side.
Matt Joyce made the most of available opportunities as he singled to right in the sixth inning to break the deadlock, giving the Rays a crucial 1-0 lead. Carlos Pena doubled Rays’ advantage to 2-0 in the seventh, scoring on a wild pitch from Zack Greinke.
"Hopefully I'll win a bunch of games and it becomes a fun season," Greinke said in an interview. "Everything's just happened pretty fast."
It was an extremely important win for the Rays, who have now moved to second place on the American League East Division standings. After losing 1-3 series opener, the Rays regrouped themselves to turn the tables for a 3-1 win in Game 2. Carrying over the
momentum, Joe Maddon and company put up another strong performance on Sunday to earn a well deserved series victory.
Tags: