Game 119: B.J. Upton Helps Rays Batter Angels, 12-3

The Tampa Bay Rays got back to their scoring ways, battering Jered Weaver and the Angels 12-3 on Friday night.

B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist homered to give the Rays a quick 2-0 lead, before the Rays offense exploded for seven runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Rays loaded the bases against Weaver with no outs, scoring on three consecutive singles that kept the bases full. Desmond Jennings hit a two run double, chasing Weaver from the game. LaTroy Hawkins came in, and promptly gave up a two run single to B.J. Upton before getting Matt Joyce to ground into a double play. Hawkins then struck out Evan Longoria to get out of the inning.

Weaver had a miserable night, surrendering nine runs on eight hits and two walks over his 3+ innings of work. James Shields, meanwhile, gave up a solo home run to Eric Aybar in the bottom of the third, and a two run home run to Howie Kendrick in the fourth. However, Shields managed to put together a quality start, giving up three runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out eight batters.

Tampa put another three runs on the board, capped by a solo home run from Jose Molina as the Rays defeated the Angles for the second consecutive night. Upton finished the night 4-5 with two runs scored, a home run, three RBI, and a walk. Sean Rodriguez was 3-5 with a double, a run scored, and two RBIs.