The Tampa Bay Rays won 5-2 on Sunday Night. It took ten tries, but David Price has finally beaten the Texas Rangers - at primetime in their own ballpark, no less. Price went 6 1/3 with 6 strikeouts, 6 hits and only 1 walk, allowing only two runs to score. That's a 2.67 ERA.
Meanwhile the Rays offense played like a playoff team. Ben Zobrist had three hits, including a triple, and Jeff Keppinger, DH Luke Scott, Sean Rodriguez, Mr. Zobrist, and Desmond Jennings (who also tripled) all plated runners.
In relief, the one-two punch of Joel "look at my biceps" Peralta and Fernando "archerman" Rodney got the job done.* Joel Peralta took over for Price and shut down the Rangers through the seventh and eighth innings, striking out 3 of 5 (!) batters faced. Fernando Rodney then struggled, including a hit, a hit-by-pitch, and an error that loaded the bases on two outs, but he convinced Ian Kinsler to tap one back to the mound, and Rodney was back to arrow slinging with his 7th save in as many chances.
The Rays return home today, and James Shields will greet King Felix and the Seattle Mariners at 7:10.
For more Rays analysis, visit our affiliate at DRaysBay.
*Rodney shoots an invisible bow and arrow after he earns a save, and Peralta's right bicep on his throwing arm is massive. Working on nicknames to reflect these realities. Let me know if you've got something better.