The Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels close out a three-game series Wednesday night at Angel Stadium

Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Angels

Tampa Bay claimed its second consecutive win and moved to 32-29 on the year with a 4-1 win over Los Angeles Tuesday night at Angel Stadium.  The Rays are still just 4-8 on the road since May 19 after starting the year 14-5.  It was also the first time the club has won back-to-back games since May 11-13.  Designated hitter Johnny Damon played a critical role in last night’s result by doubling twice and driving in a run, marking his 33rd consecutive game reaching base safely, which is actually a career high.  Tampa Bay is 5-9 versus American League West opponents this year, last in the majors in the category, while posting a 27-20 mark against all other teams.  The club has excelled against losing opponents this year, posting a 21-8 mark.

Rays starting pitcher James Shields is 5-4 with a 2.77 ERA in 12 starts and is looking to snap a two-game losing streak.  The right-hander has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) over his last 11 innings of work, while also serving up five home runs.  He will be making his seventh road start of the year, bringing in a 4-1 mark and 3.19 ERA.  Shields has made 27 June appearances (26 starts), registering an 11-13 record and 5.22 ERA.  In 10 career starts versus the Angels, Shields is 5-3 with a 2.93 ERA, including a 1-2 mark and 6.30 ERA in three outings at Angel Stadium.

Los Angeles has managed to score just 13 runs in dropping six of seven games and fallen to a season-worst three games under .500 at 30-33.  “All these guys have been out for extra batting practice, cage work, working on some drills, looking at video trying to get back in sync,” said Angels manager Mike Scioscia.  “When you’ve done that long enough you’re not seeing results, sometimes to just come out and get loose and play a game resets you a little bit.”  The club went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position last night and has hit just .237 with 14 home runs in 31 game at Angel Stadium.  Los Angeles is 21-20 against right-handed starters this year.

Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver is 7-4 with a 2.14 ERA in 13 starts this season and is coming off a 3-2 home win over the Yankees.  The right-hander has registered a 3-1 record and 1.96 ERA in five starts at Angel Stadium and hasn’t surrendered a home run in 36 2/3 innings.  Weaver will be making his 24th lifetime start in June, entering with a remarkable 16-5 record and 2.82 ERA.  In six career appearances versus the Rays, the former first-round selection has tallied a 4-1 record and 2.27 ERA.

Bettors will likely back the Angels due to their 36-15 record after losing the first two games of a series, while the Rays are 1-8 in their last nine games following a win