Tampa Bay Rays lose to Los Angeles Angels 1-3 in series opener – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays were beaten by the Los Angeles Angels 1-3 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California on Friday, July 27 in the opening game of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
The Angels’ pitching rotation displayed some top quality throwing skills in a game that was played on a very competitive note. Starting pitcher Dan Haren created all sort of problems for Rays’ battling line-up, laying the foundations of an impressive Angels’
victory.
Overall, Haren gave up just a run while striking-out six in six effective innings. Using his fastballs and curveballs to great effect, the right hander lowered his ERA to 4.59 and grabbed his eighth win of the season. With Zack Greinke also being acquired
from the Milwaukee Brewers, the pitching rotation is expected to get stronger.
"He's a guy I've admired for a while. He's the definition of electric stuff -- which is the opposite of me," Haren said. "My game is more command, and his game is command and having a wide arsenal of pitches."
It will be interesting to see if Los Angeles can keep winning games regularly to replace Texas Rangers at the top of American League West Division standings.
Rays’ starter Alex Cobb also pitched with great control and accuracy but he was outpitched by Haren. Cobb allowed three runs with three strike-outs to take his eighth loss of the season. Jeff Keppinger homered to left in the second inning to break the deadlock.
"We've talked about it. It's the same story. The opportunities are out there. We just have to do better," manager Joe Maddon said. "I felt good about Ryan hitting under those circumstances, and I thought Lopie had a really good at-bat, too. Jepsen looked
like he was a little more frisky than he had been in the past."
Albert Pujols doubled to left, Mike Trout and Torii Hunter scored to help the Angels comeback from behind to take an important 2-1 lead. Mark Trumbo singled to left in the third and Pujols scored to make it 3-1, which lasted until the end of the contest.
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