For the third time this week, the Tampa Bay Rays lost a game on a home run. Sunday it was a walk-off in Toronto hit off Rafael Soriano in a rare blown save. Tuesday it was a leadoff long-ball in extras off reliever Dan Wheeler. Friday night, Wheeler was once again the culprit victim, costing the Rays a one-run game to the visiting Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (I really hate typing that entire name on first reference; stupid AP style; better yet, stupid Angels team name).

Rays starter Wade Davis looked sharp early on, striking out two in the top of the first. The rookie right-hander came into the game with a franchise record-tying seven consecutive wins. Davis allowed a one-out base hit to Mike Napoli in the top of the second inning. Napoli then stole second and was able to advance to third base on a throwing error by Rays catcher John Jaso. Howie Kendrick’s base hit scored Napoli. Davis’ response? Striking out two more men, Hank Conger and Brandon Wood.

The Rays came back to tie it up in the bottom of the second. Evan Longoria led off with a groundout, followed by Matt Joyce’s long, teasing fly out to right field. Next to the plate was Mr. Home Run, Dan Johnson, who decided that the third time was the charm; he took Angels starter Dan Haren’s 0-2 fastball deep into the stands in right field, his third home run in as many at-bats.

This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2010.