6/17 - Cubs (34-36) @ Rays (46-24): Game 1

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays interleague play continues in a home series against the Chicago Cubs. In the first inning, on the first pitch of the game, Alfonso Soriano jacked a lead-off homer to the deepest part of the park in left-center to give the Cubs an immediate one-run lead. Carlos Zambrano took a one-hit shutout into the seventh when Carlos Pena hit a solo homer of his own to tie the game up at 1-1. The Rays weren't done in that inning though, as Cliff Floyd hit a sacrifice fly to plate Evan Longoria from third, to take a one run lead, and later in the inning, Rocco Baldelli jacked a three-run homer scoring Dioner Navarro and Carl Crawford to chase Zambrano out of the game. The Cubs threatened in the eighth against Dan Wheeler when Derrek Lee blasted a two-run homer scoring Ryan Theriot, immediately followed by a solo homer by Aramis Ramirez going back-to-back and narrowing the Rays lead to one, but they held on as Troy Percival protected the one run lead for another save. Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza pitched very well going seven innings giving up one run on six hits and striking out two for his fifth win of the season.

Final Score:
Cubs: 4
Rays: 5

WP - Matt Garza (5-4) | LP - Carlos Zambrano (4-8) | SV - Troy Percival (21)

HR:
Carlos Pena (Rays) - 34
Rocco Baldelli (Rays) - 4
Alfonso Soriano (Cubs) - 16
Derrek Lee (Cubs) - 16
Aramis Ramirez (Cubs) - 16

6/15 - Marlins (38-31) @ Rays (45-24): Game 3

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have swept the Marlins in this three game series in Tampa Bay. In the first inning, Dan Uggla blasted a two-run homer scoring Alfredo Amezega. The Rays got their offense started in the sixth when Cliff Floyd hit an RBI single scoring Carl Crawford. The Marlins scored once once more in the seventh with an RBI hit by Jeremy Hermida knocking in Mike Jacobs, as well as Andy Sonnanstine from the game, but in the ninth, the Rays came back with three runs starting with a Rocco Baldelli RBI double scoring Cliff Floyd and Dioner Navarro to tie it, later followed by a walk-off hit by B.J. Upton knocking in Rocco Baldelli. Rays starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine went six innings giving up three runs on six hits and striking out five.

Final Score:
Marlins: 3
Rays: 4

WP - Al Reyes (5-2) | LP - Kevin Slowey (0-7) | SV -

HR:
Dan Uggla (Marlins) - 22

6/14 -Marlins (38-30) @ Rays (44-24): Game 2

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have won the second game of this three game series against the Marlins at home in an extra innings walk-off. Carlos Pena got things started in the first with a solo homer to center. With no other scoring until the eighth, B.J. Upton led-off the bottom of the eighth with a homer to take a two-run lead. With James Shields going for the complete game shutout with two outs and one on in the ninth, Dan Uggla jacked a two-run homer to tie the game up. The Rays won the game in the bottom of the tenth with an infield hit by Carlos Pena scoring Akinori Iwamura who was charging home from third. Rays starting pitcher James Shields pitched very well coming one out away from a complete game five-hit shutout, but takes no-decision going nine innings giving up the two-run homer on seven hits and striking out three.

Final Score:
Marlins: 2
Rays: 3
F/10

WP - Dan Wheeler (9-0) | LP - Scott Olsen (8-3) | SV -

HR:
B.J. Upton (Rays) - 23
Carlos Pena (Rays) - 33
Dan Uggla (Marlins) - 21

6/13 - Marlins (38-29) @ Rays (43-24): Game 1

ST. PETERSBURG -- Interleague play has officially started for the Rays, and they've ended their losing streak with a huge victory over the Marlins. The Marlins scored early n the second with a solo homer off the bat of Jeremy Hermida to take a one-run lead, but the Rays tied it up in the fourth when Evan Longoria hit an RBI double knocking in Carlos Pena. The Rays then took the lead in thr fifth on an Akinora Iwamura RBI single scoring Dioner Navarro, but in the sixth, power hitting Dan Uggla blasted a solo homer to tie it up. The Rays took the lead once again in the sixth on an RBI single by Cliff Floyd knocking in Evan Longoria. Sixth inning, followed by Dioner Navarro with a sacrifice hit scoring Carl Crawford. The Marlins stormed back in the seventh Seventh with a huge five run inning that started with a solo homer by Luis Gonzalez solo homer. Later in the inning, Alfredo Amezaga came through with an RBI hit knocking in Cody Ross to tie it, and Dan Uggla capped it off with a three-run bomb scoring Wes Helms and Alfredo Amezaga. The Rays came back with a huge inning of their own in the eighth with a three-run homer off the bat of Rocco Baldelli, scoring Dioner Navarro and Cliff Floyd to tie it, and an RBI double by B.J. Upton later in the inning knocking in Jason Bartlett. Rays starting pitcher Scott Kazmir started the game well, but struggled with that five-run seventh the Marlins put up. He went seven innings giving up the Marlins seven runs on ten hits and striking out one.

Final Score:
Marlins: 7
Rays: 8

WP - Dan Wheeler (8-0) | LP - Renyel Pinto (1-3) | SV - Troy Percival (20)

HR:
Rocco Baldelli (Rays) - 3
Dan Uggla (Marlins) - 19
Dan Uggla (Marlins) - 20
Jeremy Hermida (Marlins) - 11
Luis Gonzalez (Marlins) - 7

6/11 - Rays (43-23) @ Angels (37-29): Game 3

ANAHEIM -- The Rays have lost three in a row, and getting swept three straight games against the Angels in Anaheim. In the second inning, Maicer Izturis hit an RBI single knocking in Torri Hunter and Casey Kotchman to give the Angels an early two-run lead, but the Rays tied it up in the fifth, when with the bases loaded and Dioner Navarro batting, a wild pitch allowed Evan Longoria to score from third. Later in the inning, Rocco Baldelli hit into a sacrifice groundout in which Carl Crawford scored, Cliff Floyd out at third, and Rocco Baldelli safe at first. The Angels took the lead to win it in the eighth on a solo shot off the bat of Torii Hunter. Rays starting pitcher Hideo Nomo pitched well, going five and a third allowing two runs on nine hits and striking out four, taking a no-decision.

Final Score:
Rays: 2
Angels: 3

WP - Chris Bootcheck (2-0) | LP - Jason Hammel (2-3) | SV - Francisco Rodriguez (16)

HR:
Torii Hunter (Angels) - 7

6/10 - Rays (43-22) @ Angels (36-29): Game 2

ANAHEIM -- The Rays have lost two in a row, losing a crazy, high scoring game against the Angels in Anaheim. The Angels scored first in the third on a Gary Matthews, Jr. RBI double scoring Maicer Izturis, followed by Vladimir Guerrero who hit an RBI double scoring Chone Figgins and Gary Matthews, Jr. to take a 3-0 lead, but the Rays got those runs back in the fourth. Carl Crawford hit an RBI single scoring Evan Longoria, followed by Cliff Floyd who hit into a sacrifice groundout scoring Carl Crawford, and later in the inning, Jason Bartlett hit an RBI single knocking in Dioner Navarro. The Rays took the only lead they would have in the fifth when Carlos Pena blasted a lead-off homer, but the Angels took that back in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero. The Angels had a huge five-run sixth that started with a Chone Figgins RBI single knocking in Howie Kendrick, later followed by a Gary Matthews, Jr. grans slam knocking in Mike Napoli, Maicer Izturis and Chone Figgins to take a six-run lead. The Rays threatened in the eighth, scoring three runs on RBI hits by Rocco Baldelli knocking in Carl Crawford, Akinori Iwamura scoring Cliff Floyd, and B.J. Upton scoring Rocco Baldelli, but they couldn't make the comeback. Rays starting pitcher Edwin Jackson did not have a good outing, get pounded by the Angels lineup going five and a third innings giving up seven runs on thirteen hits and striking out three.

Final Score:
Rays: 7
Angels: 9

WP - Chris Bootcheck (1-0) | LP - Edwin Jackson (4-3) | SV - Francisco Rodriguez (15)

HR:
Gary Matthews, Jr. (Angels) - 12
Vladimir Guerrero (Angels) - 11
Carlos Pena (Rays) - 32

6/10 - 2008 Draft

The draft was held today, and the Rays, being the first ones to pick having had the worst record in the majors in 2007, picked two players to hopefully be the ones to lead the team in the future:

First Pick:

Moran - (C)
B/T: S/R
Birthday: 10/21/1981 (Age 26)

TRJ: 2
CON: 6 (E)
PWR: 93 (E)
RUN SPD: 7 (E)
ARM STR: 7 (E)
FLD: 8 (D)
E RES: 9 (D)

Second Pick:

Brazell - (2B)
B/T: S/R
Birthday: 1/1/1986 (Age 22)

TRJ: 1
CON: 5 (F)
PWR: 62 (F)
RUN SPD: 4 (F)
ARM STR: 4 (F)
FLD: 8 (D)
E RES: 7 (E)

6/9 - Rays (43-21) @ Angels (35-29): Game 1

ANAHEIM -- The Rays have lost game one of a three game series against the Angels in Anaheim, getting shutout by Joe Saunders like Andy Sonnanstine did to the Rangers in just their last game. The Angels scored both of their runs in the second when Garret Anderson blasted a lead-off homer, later followed by an RBI single by Maicer Izturis knocking in Howie Kendrick. Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza pitched great, pitching all eight innings giving up the two runs on four hits and striking out three, but unfortunately takes a loss in this one.

Final Score:
Rays: 0
Angels: 2

WP - Joe Saunders (5-3) | LP - Matt Garza (4-4) | SV -

HR:
Garret Anderson (Angels) - 11

6/8 - Rays (42-21) @ Rangers (19-45): Game 3

ARLINGTON -- The Rays have won game three and the series in a pitchers duel between Andy Sonnanstine and Vicente Padilla. The only runs scored came in the top of the eighth on a Rocco Baldelli RBI single scoring Eric Hinske and Dioner Navarro, chasing Padilla out of the game. Andy Sonnanstine went the distance, pitching a complete game, five-hit shutout for his fifth win of the season.

Final Score:
Rays: 2
Rangers: 0

WP - Andy Sonnanstine (5-1) | LP - Vicente Padilla (1-6) | SV -

HR:

6/7 - Rays (42-20) @ Rangers (18-45): Game 2

ARLINGTON -- The Rays have dropped game two of this series against the Rangers. The Rangers got to Shields in the second when Marlon Byrd belted an RBI triple scoring Hank Blalock and Frank Catalanotto to take an early two-run lead. There was another Byrd strike in the sixth when he hit an RBI double scoring Frank Catalanotto, extending the lead to three runs. Gerald Laird followed with an RBI hit knocking in Marlon Byrd. Evan Longoria got the Rays offense started in the seventh when he blasted a lead-off homer to center. Later in the inning, Dioner Navarro blasted a home run of his own, a two-run homer scoring Cliff Floyd. Josh Hamilton gave the Rangers one more run, that would be the game winner in the seventh with an RBI single scoring Ben Broussard. That would be the winner as Cliff Floyd blasted a solo shot in the top of the ninth, narrowing the Rangers lead to one, but they held on. Rays starting pitcher James Shields was a little shaky in today's game, going seven innings, giving up all five Rangers runs on thirteen hits and striking out six.

Final Score:
Rays: 4
Rangers: 5

WP - Jason Jennings (3-2) | LP - James Shields (3-3) | SV - Joaquin Benoit (10)

HR:
Evan Longoria (Rays) - 19
Cliff Floyd (Rays) - 6
Dioner Navarro (Rays) - 4

6/7 - Trade Update

A deal between the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks was made today:

Mark Reynolds - Diamondbacks >> Mets
Angel Pagan - Mets >> Diamondbacks
John Maine - Mets >> Diamondbacks

Rays (41-20) @ Rangers (18-44): Game 1

ARLINGTON -- The Rays have won game one of this three game series against the Rangers in Arlington. The Rays came up huge in the first inning starting with a two-run blast off the bat of Carlos Pena scoring B.J. Upton. Later in the inning, Evan Longoria scored from third on fielder's choice, and then an RBI single by Rocco Baldelli knocking in Cliff Floyd. The Rangers got their offense started in the fifth on an Ian Kinsler RBI single scoring Gerald Laird. The Rays then homered three innings in a row, Cliff Floyd in the sixth, Jason Bartlett in the seventh, and Carlos Pena in the eighth, his second of the game, and all three solo homers. Marlon Byrd led-off the ninth inning with a solo homer, but the Rays were able to shut the door on this one. Rays starting pitcher Scott Kazmir pitched seven innings giving up one run on eight hits and one strikeout for his sixth win of the season.

Final Score:
Rays: 7
Rangers: 2

WP - Scott Kazmir (6-1) | LP - John Rheinecker (0-2) | SV -

HR:
Marlon Byrd (Rangers) - 8
Carlos Pena (Rays) - 30
Carlos Pena (Rays) - 31
Cliff Floyd (Rays) - 5
Jason Bartlett (Rays) - 1

6/5 - Rays (41-19) @ Red Sox (27-34): Game 3

BOSTON -- The Rays have dropped two in a row in Boston and a series loss in a very low scoring game won on a walk-off. Manny Ramirez got things started in the first with an RBI double scoring Jacoby Ellsbury. No one would score again until the seventh when Evan Longoria led-off the top of the inning with a homer to left. Manny Ramirez who got things started, also ended it in the bottom of the ninth with an opposite field blast, giving the Red Sox the series victory of Rays reliever Al Reyes. Rays starting pitcher Hideo Nomo pitched great, pitching seven very strong innings giving up just one run on six hits and striking out three, taking a no decision.

Final Score:
Rays: 1
Red Sox: 2

WP - Hideki Okajima (3-1) | LP - Al Reyes (4-2) | SV -

HR:
Manny Ramirez (Red Sox) - 21
Evan Longoria (Rays) - 18

6/5 - Trade Update

A trade between the Minnesota Twins and Florida Marlins was made today:

Paul Hoover - Marlins >> Twins
Kevin Slowey - Twins >> Marlins

6/4 - Rays (41-18) @ Red Sox (26-34): Game 2

BOSTON -- The Rays' winning streak has come to an end today in a loss to the Boston Red Sox. With no score in the fifth, J.D. Drew hit an RBI double scoring Mike Lowell to take a 1-0 lead. They then extended their lead in the same inning when Dustin Pedroia hit an RBI double knocking in J.D. Drew. The Red Sox scored once more in the sixth on an infield hit by Mike Lowell scoring David Ortiz from third. The Rays made a comeback attempt in the eighth on a bases loaded RBI single for Carlos Pena scoring Dioner Navarro and Rocco Baldelli, but they fell short as Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett went the distance for a complete game. Rays starting pitcher Edwin Jackson pitched great despite giving up all three Red Sox runs, going six innings, giving up those three runs on six hits and striking out two.

Final Score:
Rays: 2
Red Sox: 3

WP - Josh Beckett (5-6) | LP - Edwin Jackson (4-2) | SV -

HR:

6/3 - Rays (40-18) @ Red Sox (26-33): Game 1

BOSTON -- The Rays have won their third straight game, taking game one against the Red Sox in Boston. In the third inning, Dioner Navarro got the offense started with a lead-off homer, but the Red Sox tied it in the bottom of the inning when Julio Lugo hit an RBI double scoring Jason Varitek. The Red Sox took the lead in the sixth with a solo blast off the bat of David Ortiz. Tim Wakefield pitched great, but couldn't shut it down in the ninth, giving up a one-out two-run homer to B.J. Upton also scoring Jason Bartlett giving the Rays a 3-2 victory. Troy Percival closed out another one-run lead game for his nineteenth save of the season. Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza pitched well, going seven innings, giving up the two Red Sox runs on four hits and striking out two, taking an unfortunate no decision.

Final Score:
Rays: 3
Red Sox: 2

WP - Al Reyes (4-1) | LP - Tim Wakefield (2-6) | SV - Troy Percival (19)

HR:
David Ortiz (Red Sox) - 12
B.J. Upton (Rays) - 22
Dioner Navarro (Rays) - 3

6/2 - Trade Update

A trade occurred today between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers:

Great Shields - Brewers >> White Sox
Danny Richar - White Sox >> Brewers

Trades and Acquisitions Through June 1

Here is a list of trades and acquisitions made by all thirty teams this far in the season. I will continute to post transactions as they happen during the season so you know who is on what team:

Red Sox
May 7
Jeff Keppinger - Reds >> Red Sox
Jonathan Papelbon - Red Sox >> Reds

Orioles
March 25
Jayson Nix - Free Agent >> Orioles
Joe Dillon - Free Agent >> Orioles
Mike DiFelice - Free Agent >> Orioles
David Newhan - Free Agent >> Orioles

June 1
Kevin Cameron - Padres >> Orioles
Brandon Fahey - Orioles >> Padres

Tigers
April 10
Trever Miller - Rays >> Tigers

May 20
Mark Sweeney - Dodgers >> Tigers
Ryan Raburn - Tigers >> Dodgers

White Sox
May 12
Ruben Gotay - Braves >> White Sox
Pablo Ozuna - White Sox >> Braves

Royals
May 24
Paul McAnulty - Padres >> Royals
Jake Peavy - Padres >> Royals
Randy Wolf - Padres >> Royals
Billy Butler - Royals >> Padres

Mariners
March 25
Adam Melhuse - Free Agent >> Mariners
Great Wood - Free Agent >> Mariners
Brady Clark - Free Agent >> Mariners
Juan Castro - Free Agent >> Mariners
Matt Morris - Free Agent >> Mariners
Tomas Perez - Free Agent >> Mariners
Kirk Saarloos - Free Agent >> Mariners
Angel Chavez - Free Agent >> Mariners

Rangers
May 16
Bobby Livingston - Reds >> Rangers
Jared Burton - Reds >> Rangers
German Duran - Rangers >> Reds

Braves
May 12
Pablo Ozuna - White Sox >> Braves
Ruben Gotay - Braves >> White Sox

Marlins
March 25
Great White - Free Agent >> Marlins
Justin Ruggiano - Free Agent >> Marlins
Great Blanco - Free Agent >> Marlins

Reds
May 7
Jonathan Papelbon - Red Sox >> Reds
Jeff Keppinger - Reds >> Red Sox

May 16
German Duran - Rangers >> Reds
Bobby Livingston - Reds >> Rangers
Jared Burton - Reds >> Rangers

Diamondbacks
May 22
Erick Threets - Giants >> Diamondbacks
Robby Hammock - Diamondbacks >> Giants

Padres
May 24
Billy Butler - Royals >> Padres
Paul McAnulty - Padres >> Royals
Jake Peavy - Padres >> Royals
Randy Wolf - Padres >> Royals

June 1
Brandon Fahey - Orioles >> Padres
Kevin Cameron - Padres >> Orioles

Dodgers
May 20
Ryan Raburn - Tigers >> Dodgers
Mark Sweeney - Dodgers >> Tigers

Giants
May 22
Robby Hammock - Diamondbacks >> Giants
Erick Threets - Giants >> Diamondbacks

6/1 - White Sox (27-30) @ Rays (39-18): Game 4

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have won the final game of this four game series against the White Sox in Tampa Bay. Jim Thome gave the Sox an early lead in the first with a solo homer, but the Rays got that run back in the bottom of the inning on a solo homer by B.J. Upton. The Rays then took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on an RBI single hit by Jason Bartlett scoring Rocco Baldelli from second, but in the next inning, the Sox tied it up again with a solo shot off the bat of Paul Konerko. The Rays took the lead permanently in the bottom of the inning when Cliff Floyd jacked a solo homer. Rays starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine pitched very well, going seven innings giving up both White Sox runs on nine hits and striking out three. Troy Percival protected the one-run lead for his eighteenth save of the season.

Final Score:
White Sox: 2
Rays: 3

WP - Andy Sonnanstine (4-1) | LP - Ehren Wassermann (0-4) | SV - Troy Percival (18)

HR:
B.J. Upton (Rays) - 21
Cliff Floyd (Rays) - 4
Jim Thome (White Sox) - 16
Paul Konerko (White Sox) - 14

June Preview

What can we expect from the Rays in the coming month of June? Will they heat up along with the weather as the summer goes on? June is the month of interleague play, so we'll see how they do against teams of the opposite league, and possibly a future World Series opponent? June is also the month of the draft, and I'm sure they will choose the right players to help the team in the future.

May in Review

Finishing the month with a record of 21-8, and an overall record of 39-18 over the first two months of the season, the Rays are in great shape first in the American League east division, five games over the second place Yankees, first among the fourteen American League teams, and second best record over all the majors, second to just the Cincinnati Reds. The Rays are doing great, but can they keep it up? Just as with the month of April, the Rays are doing great among individual stats to go along with their great record as a team:

Standings:

AL East: W L PCT GB
1. Rays | 39 | 18 | .684 | --- |
2. Yankees | 34 | 23 | .596 | 5.0 |
3. Blue Jays | 30 | 28 | .517 | 9.5 |
4. Red Sox | 25 | 32 | .439 | 14.0 |
5. Orioles | 17 | 39 | .304 | 21.5 |

AL Central: W L PCT GB
1. Royals | 29 | 28 | .509 | --- |
2. Twins | 28 | 28 | .500 | 0.5 |
3. Indians | 27 | 29 | .482 | 1.5 |
4. Tigers | 27 | 29 | .482 | 1.5 |
5. White Sox | 27 | 30 | .474 | 2.0 |

AL West: W L PCT GB
1. Athletics | 36 | 19 | .655 | --- |
2. Angels | 31 | 26 | .544 | 6.0 |
3. Mariners | 26 | 30 | .464 | 10.5 |
4. Rangers | 17 | 40 | .298 | 20.0 |




NL East: W L PCT GB
1. Marlins | 33 | 22 | .600 | --- |
2. Braves | 27 | 30 | .474 | 7.0 |
3. Mets | 26 | 30 | .464 | 7.5 |
4. Phillies | 21 | 36 | .368 | 13.0 |
5. Nationals | 20 | 37 | .351 | 14.0 |

NL Central: W L PCT GB
1. Reds | 40 | 17 | .702 | --- |
2. Astros | 33 | 24 | .579 | 7.0 |
3. Brewers | 32 | 24 | .571 | 7.5 |
4. Cardinals | 30 | 27 | .526 | 10.0 |
5. Pirates | 29 | 27 | .518 | 10.5 |
6. Cubs | 24 | 32 | .429 | 15.5 |

NL West: W L PCT GB
1. Diamondbacks | 30 | 26 | .536 | --- |
2. Padres | 29 | 28 | .509 | 1.5 |
3. Giants | 28 | 28 | .500 | 2.0 |
4. Dodgers | 26 | 29 | .473 | 3.5 |
5. Rockies | 26 | 31 | .456 | 4.5 |

League Leaders:


Pitching Stats:


ERA:
1. Aaron Harang (Reds) - 1.21
2. Mark Buehrle (White Sox) - 2.08
3. John Smoltz (Braves) - 2..12

Wins:
1. Brandon Webb (Diamondbacks) - 8
2. C.C. Sabathia (Indians) - 8
3. Scott Olsen (Marlins) - 8

Saves:
1. Troy Percival (Rays) - 17
2. Huston Street (Athletics) - 14
3. Joe Nathan (Twins) - 14
1 Other with 14

Strikeouts:
1. Aaron Harang (Reds) - 113
2. C.C. Sabathia (Indians) - 92
3. Johan Santana (Mets) - 87



Hitting Stats:


AVG:
1. Jorge Posada (Yankees) - .407
2. Dan Uggla (Marlins) - .385
3. Yorvit Torrealba (Rockies) - .382

Hits:
1. Carlos Pena (Rays) - 92
2. B.J. Upton (Rays) - 89
3. Jorge Posada (Yankees) - 79
1 Other with 79

Home Runs:
1. Carlos Pena (Rays) - 29
2. B.J. Upton (Rays) - 20
3. Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) - 19

RBI:
1. Carlos Pena (Rays) - 72
2. Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) - 61
3. Andruw Jones (Dodgers) - 57

5/31 - White Sox (27-29) @ Rays (38-18): Game 3

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have ended the month of May on a high note with their thirty-ninth victory of the season. The White Sox scored first in the top of the first with a Paul Konerko RBI single scoring Nick Swisher, but that would be the only offense the White Sox would get. The Rays tied the game up in the sixth when Evan Longoria hit an RBI single scoring Jason Bartlett, and taking the lead in the seventh when Jason Bartlett hit an RBI triple scoring Rocco Baldelli. The Rays scored once more in the eighth with a lead-off solo blast to center field by B.J. Upton. Rays starting pitcher James Shields pitched great, going seven innings, giving up the one White Sox run in the first on six hits and striking out three for the win. The offensive story of this game was Jason Bartlett going 3-3 with a single, double, and RBI triple, coming a homer shy of the cycle, but did not get a fourth at-bat.

Final Score:
White Sox: 1
Rays: 3

WP - James Shields (3-2) | LP - Mark Buehrle (6-2) | SV - Troy Percival (17)

HR:
B.J. Upton - Rays (20)

5/30 - White Sox (27-28) @ Rays (37-18): Game 2

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have ended their three game losing streak today with a thrilling walk-off victory over the White Sox. Paul Konerko led-off the top of the second inning with a solo home run to give the Sox a 1-0 lead, but he wasn't done yet when he hit another solo homer in the fourth to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. The Rays got their scoring started in the sixth with an Akinori Iwamura RBI double scoring Jason Bartlett from first, narrowing the lead to one run. Later in the inning, Carlos Pena hit into a sacrifice groundout scoring Akinori Iwamura from third to tie the game, but the White Sox took the lead again the seventh with two home runs: a two-run shot by Carlos Quentin scoring Ruben Gotay, followed later in the inning by a solo shot by Nick Swisher to take a 5-2 lead. The Rays stormed back in the bottom of the ninth starting off with a solo homer off the bat of B.J. Upton, making it a 5-3 game, and after a base hit by Carlos Pena, Evan Longoria bombed a game-tying two-run homer. Directly following that homer, Carl Crawford doubled, and was knocked in by Cliff Floyd with a single for the walk-off vicory, scoring four times without getting a single out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Scott Kazmir, the Rays starting pitcher pitched well, until the three-run seventh put up by the White Sox, and was taken out after the Nick Swisher home run, pitching six and two thirds innings giving up five runs on eight hits and striking out six.

Final Score:
White Sox: 5
Rays: 6

WP - Troy Percival (3-1) | LP - Jose Contreras (1-4) | SV -

HR:
B.J. Upton - Rays (19)
Evan Longoria - Rays (17)
Nick Swisher - White Sox (10)
Paul Konerko - White Sox (12)
Paul Konerko - White Sox (13)
Carlos Quentin - White Sox (7)