Rays slip past Tigers

St. Petersburg, FL – Sean Rodriguez beat out a potential 2, at Tropicana Field.

Zobrist reached safely on a fielder's choice in the ninth. Duane Below (0-2) struck out Matt Joyce and Casey Kotchman was hit by a pitch before pinch- hitter Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Elliot Johnson then grounded a ball to third baseman Brandon Inge. Ramon Santiago seemed late getting over to second and Rodriguez slid and was ruled safe by second base umpire Ed Rapuano to end the game.

Longoria homered in the fourth inning off Max Scherzer, as the Rays broke a two-game skid with the finale of this four-game series coming up Thursday afternoon.

Alex Avila went deep for the AL Central-leading Tigers, who had won five in a row.