Philadelphia, PA – Carlos Pena hit a three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning, helping the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 3-2, in the first game of a doubleheader.
David Price (10-4) gave up one run on four hits over seven innings for the Rays, who snapped a three-game skid. He struck out eight and walked three.
"Yeah, all the starters have been talking about [needing to go deep into the game]," Price said. "We need to try and help these bullpen guys out, knowing that we're going to be a man down for the next six days. We kind of need to step up and take the load off that bullpen as much as possible."
Jimmy Rollins hit a solo homer for the Phillies, who had won three of four. Ty Wigginton had an RBI single in the eighth.
Cole Hamels did not factor into the decision after tossing seven scoreless frames. He gave up three hits while striking out seven and walking three. Antonio Bastardo (2-2) took the loss after giving up the homer to Pena.
"It's hard for us to have a winning streak because of our pitching," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "At the same time, we're weak in other areas too."
Rollins broke a scoreless tie with a homer to left in the sixth. The Phillies put runners on the corners with two outs later in the inning. Price, though, was able to get John Mayberry to line out.
Bastardo took over for Hamels in the eighth. Elliot Johnson and B.J. Upton walked to put runners on base with one out. Pena stepped to the plate and smacked Bastardo's offering over the wall in right to give Tampa Bay a 3-1 lead.
The Phillies responded with one run in the bottom half to make things interesting. With one out, Burke Badenhop gave up a double to Hunter Pence. Carlos Ruiz followed with a single to put men on the corners. Wigginton's RBI single to center made it a one-run game. Pinch-hitter Jim Thome was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. Jake McGee came in from the bullpen and retired Michael Martinez to keep it 3-2.
Fernando Rodney worked around a one-out single in the ninth to pick up his 21st save of the season.
Despite solid pitching, both teams had chances to score early on. The Rays loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth, but Sean Rodriguez flied out to end the threat.
Philadelphia put men on the corners with two outs in the fifth, but Hamels grounded into a fielder's choice.
Game Notes
Thome's walk in the eighth moved him into a tie with Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle (1,733) for seventh place on MLB's all-time list...Price became the first AL pitcher to reach 10 wins this season.
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