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Rays complete sweep, hand Angels fifth straight loss

Jun 9, 2011 - 6:04 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - John Jaso scored the game-winning run in the 10th inning on Reid Brignac's squeeze bunt, giving the Tampa Bay Rays a 4-3 victory over the Angels to complete a rare series sweep in California.

Brignac also hit a solo homer as the Rays took all three from the Angels in their first sweep at Angel Stadium and second all-time in The Golden State. Juan Cruz (3-0) hurled a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn the win.

Bobby Abreu hit a three-run double in the eighth to help the Angels get to extra innings and nearly homered in the 10th, but the club nevertheless dropped their season-high fifth straight game.

Jaso led off the 10th with a pinch-hit walk off Fernando Rodney (2-3). Evan Longoria, still bothered by soreness in his left side, also came off the bench and hit a dribbler to short that left runners on first and second.

Brignac stayed off a high fastball during the next at-bat, and as Alberto Callaspo cheated in looking for a bunt, Jaso swiped third as a retreating Callaspo dropped the ball.

Jaso scored without a play at the plate on Brignac's bunt down the first-base side, and the Rays survived a shaky outing from Kyle Farnsworth in the bottom half.

"I was fortunate enough to get the bunt down. It was a pitch 97 [m.p.h.] at my head," said Brignac.

Callaspo worked a one-out walk to bring the winning run to the plate in Abreu, who launched a high fly ball to center field that B.J. Upton caught at the wall. Farnsworth closed out his 13th save by striking out Howie Kendrick.

Brignac's first home run of the season -- a shot into the first row of seats in right field off Jered Weaver in the third -- gave the Rays a 1-0 lead.

Justin Ruggiano and Ben Zobrist each had RBI extra-base hits off the wall in right in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, runs that didn't appear necessary the way James Shields was pitching.

"The whole night was a little frustrating. All you can do is keep your team in the game," said Weaver, who worked 7 2/3 innings and surrendered three runs on six hits. "It's a tough loss. It was a tough series."

The Rays starter worked out of precarious situations early on, but the Angels rallied in the eighth.

Maicer Izturis was hit-by-pitch to open the frame, Torii Hunter reached on a single and Callaspo worked a walk. Cesar Ramos relieved Shields and threw two pitches, the first a ball, the second a middle-in fastball that Abreu sent into the right-field gap to clear the bases.

Joel Peralta entered and stranded Abreu to keep the game tied.

Game Notes

The Rays' only other sweep in 42 previous series in California came against the Padres in June, 2004...Rays outfielder Johnny Damon went 0-for-4 with a walk, reaching base safely for the 34th straight game...Shields was charged with three runs on seven hits and three walks while fanning eight in seven- plus innings...The Angels have been held to three runs or less in eight straight games, going 1-7 in that span.