The Tampa Bay Rays (59-58) defeated the Baltimore Orioles (70-49) 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. With the win, the Rays were able to avoid being swept out of the three-game division series.

Anthony Santandar hit a solo home run against Jeffrey Springs in the fourth inning to give Baltimore a 1-0 lead. That would be the only offensive effort of the night, as Springs allowed six hits, had eight strikeouts and walked one in his five innings.

The Rays got an RBI single from Dylan Carlson in the seventh inning to tie the game at 1-1. Then Curtis Mead hit a sacrifice fly to give the Rays a 2-1 lead, giving Tampa Bay the win.

After Springs was replaced after five innings, Edwin Uceta came in and allowed one hit in two scoreless innings. Manuel Rodriguez (2-2, 2.01) got the win out of the bullpen with a scoreless eighth inning, then Pete Fairbanks struck out the team, allowing one hit in the ninth inning for his 23rd save of the season.

The Rays stay at home and begin a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Monday night. Taj Bradley (6-6, 3.07) is scheduled to start for the Rays, facing Framber Valdez (11-5, 3.46) for Houston. First pitch on Monday is set for 6:50 p.m. – pre-game coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 5:30 p.m. on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your home of Rays baseball.

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