According to Dylan Hernandez and Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, the Rays have been among the teams that have talked to free agent outfielder Torii Hunter. They also report that Hunter wants a multi-year contract this offseason. Hunter turned 37 years old in July and even after a great 2012 is no sure bet to continue to perform at a high level. At the same time, Hunter’s age could put him in the Rays’ price range, making him not a top target but a possible Plan B for a 2-year contract at a relatively low annual value if the Rays don’t trade for Justin Upton (which we’ll talk about later today). The Rays will not be Hunter’s most ardent pursuers, but considering their need in the outfield, they need to turn over every stone and Hunter could be an option depending on how this offseason plays out for the Rays.

And finally, Hideki Matsui struggled mightily for the Rays in 2012, but Astros General Manager Jeff Lunhow told Daily Sports in Japan that the Astros have had some internal discussions in their organization about bringing over Matsui, most likely on a minor league contract. Matsui was a great player for years in Japan and with the Yankees and it would be a shame to have his disastrous stint with the Rays being the way his career ends. Hopefully he can have his last hurrah in the major leagues in 2012 whether in Houston or somewhere else.

Moore dominated in the first three innings, allowing just a hit and a walk in the first three innings while striking out 5. He struck out the side in the 1st, working around a Torii Hunter single, and he threw just 6 pitches in the 3rd. And the Rays gave him the run support he needed as they worked against Angels starter C.J. Wilson. Ben Zobrist hit a 1st inning sac fly and slammed a solo homer in the 3rd, with a Maicer Izturis error also scoring a run in the 2nd. But things did not look good in the 4th. Moore got ahead of Albert Pujols 1-2 but hit him in the ribs with a pitch. Then Mark Trumbo grounded a single and suddenly the Angels had the tying run at the plate. But Moore kept his composure, striking out Howie Kendrick, forcing Alberto Callaspo to line to a perfectly-positioned Desmond Jennings, and forcing Vernon Wells to ground out to end the inning.

Moore escaped his 5th inning jam thanks to the well-executed play at the plate and wound up with a great outing. (Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE)

The 5th inning was even scarier. With 1 out, Bobby Wilson doubled and then a Ryan Roberts throwing error gave the Angels 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Moore then walked Torii Hunter to load the bases. But he forced Pujols to pop out and suddenly he was one out away from getting out of the inning. With Mark Trumbo at the plate, Moore’s 1-0 pitch to him was wild and got past Jose Molina. The ball ricocheted off the backstop right to Molina, who flipped the ball to Moore covering the plate. Moore made a swipe tag on Bobby Wilson and got the call from the umpire to escape trouble. It’s questionable whether Moore actually tagged Wilson before he touched home plate, but he had the awareness to cover home and give himself a chance, and he was fortunate enough to escape. Moore continued his outing with a scoreless 6th working around a Kendrick single and then he departed following an Izturis flyout to begin the 7th. Moore went 6.1 shutout innings allowing no runs on 4 hits, striking out 6 while walking 2. Unlike in some of his other outings, Moore kept it together when his command began to go and the result was a sparkling final line.

Jake McGee struck out both batters he faced to complete the 7th before Joel Peralta worked around a Hunter single in the 8th and Fernando Rodney tossed a perfect 9th for the save as the Rays won 3-0. Moore (7-7) earned the win, Wilson (9-7) took the loss and Rodney saved his 29th game. The Rays came away with a crisp win thanks to Moore’s pitching and some solid offense from Zobrist and the lineup, and they evened up their series with the Angels with the rubber game coming on Sunday at 3:35 PM. Jeremy Hellickson gets the ball against Angels new acquisition Zach Greinke as the Rays look to win their second straight series.