Seventh-inning slugfest lifts Rays to series-opening win over Angels

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Rays ended their four-game losing streak in dominant fashion, defeating the Angels, 8-5, at Tropicana Field on Friday night.

Tampa Bay entered the bottom of the seventh trailing 2-1 before batting around and scoring seven runs off of two Angels relievers.

Right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn walked Cedric Mullins in his first at-bat in relief of Walbert Ureña, who after giving up a leadoff home run to Yandy Diaz held the Rays scoreless for six innings.

After Mullins reached, Diaz delivered his second home run of the game and 10th of the season - a monstrous blast into one of the numerous "Tarps Off" sections in left field.

Jonathan Aranda then worked the count full and scorched his 10th home run of the season to right-center field.

Things didn't go much better for the Angels after Brent Suter replaced Zeferjahn. Chandler Simpson reached on an error by Vaughn Grissom, and Junior Caminero, who had singled off of Zeferjahn, moved to third.

A bunt from Oliver Dunn, in at shortstop after Ben Williamson departed after being hit on his left hand by a pitch, scored Caminero.

Richie Palacios tripled to score Simpson and Dunn, and then a Nick Fortes sacrifice bunt scored Palacios.

The Rays would need the cushion, as reliever Hunter Bigge walked the first two batters he faced in the eighth and gave up an RBI double to Grissom before exiting the game without recording an out.

Kevin Kelly cleaned up the mess, but not before the Rays saw their lead shrink from six runs to three.

Nick Martinez delivered another strong start for Tampa Bay, allowing only two runs in seven innings of work. For Martinez, Friday marked his 11th consecutive start allowing two or fewer runs.

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 7:37 PM.