In stark contrast to the previous two outings, it was the Detroit Tigers that jumped out to an early lead in the third of four games at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays responded, however, grinding out runs by playing blue-collar baseball and coming away with the 7-4 win in front of 16,209 people. Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 at the plate Wednesday night in an outing that saw Carlos Pena and Matt Joyce continue to hit well. Tampa Bay had 14 hits on the evening.

Detroit put up a two-spot in the first inning before the Rays managed to record a single out. Will Rhymes led off with a single, followed by a double from journeyman slugger Johnny Damon, plating Rhymes. Damon came around to score on Jeff Larish’s base hit, giving this game an ominous start. Miguel Cabrera lined out to center and Brennan Boesch grounded into a double play to close the top half of the frame.

Tampa Bay got the lead off man aboard as well, with Ben Zobrist singling to start the bottom of the first. Carl Crawford popped out and Longoria flied to right. Zobrist stole second and then third before Pena walked. Joyce doubled, bringing Zobrist to the plate to cut the Tigers’ lead in half.

This article appears in Jul 29 – Aug 4, 2010.