Rays get to Wilson early in Angels' 10-3 loss
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- C.J. Wilson couldn't make it through the second inning as the Tampa Bay Rays jumped all over the Los Angeles starter.
In his first start since a sprained ankle put him on the 15-day disabled list, Wilson gave up six runs in 1 1-3 innings, the second-shortest start of his career. Tampa Bay went on to win 10-3 on Saturday night.
Evan Longoria hit a two-run home run off Wilson (8-7) in the first inning and Ben Zobrist got four of the Rays' 16 hits, six of which came against Wilson.
"Obviously a tough start or him," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "The overriding theme we've seen with C.J. is just controlling counts and missing spots and not being able to put hitters away. I think we saw some of that tonight."
Longoria put the Rays up 2-0 with his 13th homer of the season, and things got away from Wilson in a four-run second. His hesitation in fielding a bases-loaded bunt by Desmond Jennings opened the door for the big inning, Wilson said.
"If I would have just had the presence of mind to concede the run and thrown to first right away instead of looking to home," he said, "then (Jennings) would have been out and I probably would have been out of the inning right there."
The Rays went on to a 6-0 lead, and Wilson's night ended with a two-run single by Brandon Guyer.
Chris Archer (7-6) struck out nine over six innings. Logan Forsythe hit a solo homer and Zobrist had an RBI double during a four-run eighth.
Howie Kendrick and Hank Conger both had RBI doubles in a three-run fourth that cut the Angels' deficit to 6-3. Los Angeles had two on with one out in the eighth, but failed to score when Kendrick and David Freese struck out.
Angels slugger Josh Hamilton went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts and a walk one day after being hit on the left middle finger by a pitch.
Los Angeles reliever Joe Thatcher left in the fourth with a sprained left ankle, which occurred while fielding Guyer's bunt single.
The Rays are 5-3 on a current nine-game homestand. It's their first winning homestand since May 20-25. James Loney added three hits and has reached base in 21 consecutive games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: Outfielder Collin Cowgill, sidelined by a broken nose, has started a rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake.
Rays: Right fielder Wil Myers, on the disabled list since May 31 because of a broken right wrist, hopes to start a rehab assignment next Saturday at Triple-A Durham. Catcher Ryan Hanigan, out with a strained left oblique, started a rehab assignment with Single-A Charlotte.
ON DECK
Angels right-hander Jered Weaver (11-6) is looking to improve on a 4-4 record in 10 starts against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Rays starter Jake Odorizzi (7-8) has allowed three runs or less in nine straight starts.
SMYLY TIME
Drew Smyly joined the Rays on Saturday, two days after being acquired as part of a three-team deal that sent ace David Price to Detroit. The former Tigers left-hander is scheduled to start Tuesday at Oakland.
OUCH!
With the Angels down seven runs, C.J. Cron was thrown out at the plate for the first out in the ninth inning after Chris Iannetta's pinch-hit single. "(Rays right fielder Kevin) Keirmair came out of nowhere," Scioscia said. "It looked like there was nobody around that ball and he came up and made a play."
MR. POTATO HEAD BP
Scioscia wanted a Maddon "Mr. Potato Head" to see what Saturday night's giveaway looked like. The Rays manager, a long-time coach for Scioscia, sent over a full box.
Scioscia then sent Maddon a funny video of the Angels skipper using a fungo bat to hit soft tosses of "Mr. Potato Head," around the office.
"Mashed potato heads," Maddon said with a smile.