Wilson, Angels blank Rays
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Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - C.J. Wilson tossed his second career shutout as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-0, in the third test of a four game series.
Wilson (5-3) gave up five hits while striking out seven and walking two for the Angels, who bounced back from Friday's 3-0 loss. Ironically, Wilson's only other shutout came against Tampa Bay on Sept. 6, 2011, while pitching for Texas.
"My first shutout with the Angels," said Wilson. "I made a couple of pitches with guys on base to get out of trouble."
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Grant Green hit a two-run homer for Los Angeles, which got an RBI apiece from Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.
Cesar Ramos (1-3) lasted just 1 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits. Brandon Gomes gave up two runs on three hits over 2 2/3 innings of relief.
The Angels scored two runs in each of the first three innings. In the first, Collin Cowgill led off with a single, moved to second on Trout's walk and raced home on Kendrick's single to left. C.J. Cron singled before Aybar's sacrifice fly.
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Luis Jimenez was hit by a pitch with one out in the second. Cowgill followed with a single, chasing Ramos from the game. Trout's sacrifice fly and Pujols' RBI ground-rule double made it 4-0.
"I felt bad having to take him (Ramos) out because he's from around here," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "But we couldn't give up any more runs."
Chris Iannetta hit a two-out double in the third, then scored on Green's blast to center.
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Tampa Bay's best chance to score came in the seventh. Evan Longoria and Yunel Escobar singled and Logan Forsythe walked to load the bases with one out. But James Loney grounded into a double play.
Game Notes
Wilson, who threw 127 pitches, improved to 5-2 lifetime against the Rays ... Tampa Bay placed outfielder Desmond Jennings on the bereavement list and recalled outfielder Kevin Kiermaier from Triple-A Durham. Kiermaier went 1- for-3.