The Tampa Bay Rays broke open a tie game with a five-run eighth inning Sunday afternoon, defeating the Los Angeles Angels 8-3 at Angel Stadium and preventing a three-game series sweep.
Junior Caminero delivered the decisive blow with a two-run home run to left field in the eighth inning, ending a 10-game homer drought and putting Tampa Bay ahead for good. Victor Mesa Jr. followed later in the inning with a two-run homer of his own as the Rays turned a close contest into a comfortable victory.
The loss ended the Angels’ four-game winning streak and halted one of their strongest stretches of the season. Los Angeles had won five of its previous six games and captured consecutive home series before falling in the finale.
Despite the setback, the Angels showed signs of progress throughout the series against one of the American League’s top clubs.
Rays Capitalize In Decisive Eighth Inning
The game remained tied entering the eighth inning before Tampa Bay’s offense finally broke through.
Cedric Mullins opened the inning with a walk against Angels reliever Sam Bachman. Caminero followed by driving a pitch over the left-field wall for his 15th home run of the season, giving the Rays a 5-3 lead.
The homer marked Caminero’s first long ball in 10 games and immediately shifted momentum in Tampa Bay’s favor.
The Rays continued to apply pressure after the blast.
Hunter Feduccia added an RBI single later in the inning before Mesa launched a two-run homer, extending the lead to 8-3. The five-run outburst proved more than enough support for Tampa Bay’s bullpen.
Bachman entered the game having not allowed a home run since early May, but the Rays tagged him for two in the decisive frame.
Early Lead Changes Keep Game Close
Tampa Bay struck first in the third inning.
Chandler Simpson delivered a two-run single that put the Rays ahead 2-1. Ben Williamson extended the lead in the fourth when he connected for his second career home run and first as a member of the Rays.
The Angels responded in the fifth.
Donovan Walton hit his first home run with Los Angeles, and it was only the fifth homer of his major league career. The blast cut the deficit to one run and energized the home crowd.
Moments later, Jo Adell tied the game with an RBI single through the infield, bringing home another run and leveling the score at 3-3.
For much of the afternoon, it appeared the Angels might complete another comeback and secure a sweep.
Instead, Tampa Bay’s late surge proved decisive.
Rodriguez Exits Early
The Angels faced an additional challenge when starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez exited in the third inning with low back tightness.
Rodriguez departed after throwing 47 pitches, forcing Los Angeles to rely heavily on its bullpen for the remainder of the game.
The early exit disrupted the Angels’ pitching plan, requiring multiple relievers to cover significant innings against a productive Rays lineup.
The club did not immediately provide additional details regarding the severity of Rodriguez’s discomfort.
His health will be a key storyline moving forward, particularly as the Angels continue their search for stability in their rotation.
Rays Bullpen Holds Firm
Tampa Bay used a bullpen game and received contributions throughout its relief corps.
Kevin Kelly earned the win after throwing two scoreless innings. The right-hander improved to 4-2 on the season and helped bridge the middle innings before turning the game over to the rest of the bullpen.
The Rays also survived a tense moment in the eighth inning.
Craig Kimbrel, making only his third appearance for Tampa Bay, walked two batters and hit another to load the bases with one out. Manager Kevin Cash quickly turned to Garrett Cleavinger, who escaped the jam without allowing a run.
The escape preserved Tampa Bay’s lead and prevented the Angels from mounting a comeback.
The Rays bullpen closed the door from there, securing the club’s fourth victory in six games.
Injury Concern For Angels
The Angels also suffered another injury scare during the game.
Outfielder Wade Meckler left in the fifth inning after crashing into the outfield wall while attempting to make a catch on Williamson’s home run.
Meckler has been one of the club’s most productive hitters since his recent call-up and is batting well above .300 during his current stint with the team.
The extent of the injury was not immediately known following the game.
Any extended absence would be a setback for an Angels lineup that has recently shown improved production.
Up Next
The Angels begin a road trip Monday night when they travel to Arizona. Right-hander Walbert Ureña is scheduled to start after putting together five consecutive strong outings. Los Angeles will look to quickly bounce back and continue the momentum it built during its recent surge.
The Rays continue their Southern California trip with a matchup against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Nick Martinez is expected to take the mound as Tampa Bay looks to build on Sunday’s victory and maintain its push in the American League playoff race.