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S-Rod homer gives Rays 4-3 win, share of first place

 
Published June 26, 2012

The Rays turned things around on the Red Sox, getting a ninth-inning two-run home run from Sean Rodriguez to beat the Red Sox 4-3 on Sunday.

With the win, the Rays improved to 29-19 and moved back into a first-place tie with Baltimore.

The Sox had beaten the Rays on Saturday with a two-run walkoff homer by Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

The Rays had been in position for a less dramatic win, as they took a 2-0 lead into the seventh, but Jeremy Hellickson, who had pitched well to that point, couldn't hold it. He allowed a leadoff walk to David Ortiz, a single to Kevin Youkilis and then a three-run opposite field home run to Adrian Gonzalez.

But the Rays rallied back in the ninth. Ben Zobrist drew a leadoff walk and with one out Rodriguez crushed an Alfredo Aceves pitch over the Green Monster. Fernando Rodney finished for his 16th save.

The Rays headed home afterward to face the White Sox in a 3:10 Memorial Day game at Tropicana Field.