St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) – Carlos Pena drove in the go-ahead run as part of a four-run eighth inning as the Tampa Bay Rays downed the Texas Rangers, 6-4, in the opener of a three-game set.
Willy Aybar drove in two runs while Ben Zobrist went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Rays, who have won three straight. David Price went six-plus innings and was charged with two runs on five hits with five walks and eight strikeouts. Lance Cormier (4-3) got the win for getting the final out in the eighth inning.
With the win, Tampa Bay sit just a half-game back of the Yankees, who are currently playing Detroit, for first place in the AL East.
Bengie Molina went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and Elvis Andrus added two hits and an RBI for the Rangers, who have dropped five of their last eight. Cliff Lee (10-6) was tagged with the loss as he gave up six runs on nine hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings.
Despite the loss, the Rangers still hold a healthy eight-game lead over the Angels for first in the AL West.