Tampa Bay @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2012 ) Tampa Bay 7, LA Angels 0
The Tampa Bay Rays attempt to continue their dominance of the Los Angeles Angels when the clubs meet in the second game of their four-game series at Angel Stadium on Friday. Tampa Bay has won six of the first seven meetings this season, allowing a total of eight runs - six earned. David Price, who became the first 16-game winner in the major leagues with a stellar performance in the series opener, has kept the Angels off the scoreboard over 16 innings this season.
The Rays' 7-0 win on Thursday helped lessen the pain from the previous day, when Seattle's Felix Hernandez tossed the third perfect game in four years against them. Tampa Bay, which currently occupies a wild-card spot in the American League, is seeking its fourth consecutive shutout victory at Angel Stadium. Los Angeles posted a 3-1 home win on July 26 before falling 3-0 and 2-0 over the next two days. The Angels, who have won eight of 10, trail the Rays by 2 1/2 games in the wild-card race.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH James Shields (10-7, 4.02 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jered Weaver (15-2, 2.22)
Shields allowed three runs - two earned - over seven innings at Minnesota on Sunday but came away with a no-decision. The 30-year-old had won his previous two starts, yielding a total of one run over 17 frames. Shields is 5-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 11 career outings against the Angels.
Weaver, who is looking to pull even with Price for the major-league wins lead, is coming off his first loss since May 13 as he gave up three runs over seven innings against Seattle on Sunday. The Cy Young Award candidate has yielded two earned runs or fewer 11 times over his last 13 starts. Weaver is 8-1 at home this year and 4-1 in seven career outings against the Rays.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays has allowed a total of one run over their last two games. They have yielded three runs or fewer in 13 of their last 15 contests.
2. Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria's home run in Thursday's win was his first since April 27.
3. Angels RHP Steve Geltz made his major-league debut, walking one in a scoreless inning.