Rays beat Mariners, pull even in series

AUGUST 08, 2008

SEATTLE (AP) -- Carlos Pena hit his 21st home run and drove in another run and the Tampa Bay Rays increased their lead in the AL East to 3 1/2 games with a 5-3 victory over the Mariners on Friday night.

Tampa Bay's lead over second-place Boston is its largest since July 7.

Two days after his dramatic, game-ending home run capped a six-run ninth inning for the Rays, Pena made up for the absence of Evan Longoria, the team's leader in home runs and RBIs. Longoria is missing at least one day of his team's season-long, 10-game road trip because of a bruised hand.

(Pictured - James Shields pitches during the first inning. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Posted by Times Editor at 11:51:23 pm on August 08, 2008 | Permalink | Comments |

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