Lobaton, Hellickson Lead Rays in 3-1 Victory over Detroit

Jose Lobaton‘s pair of RBI singles in the second and fourth innings would prove to be the key plays of the game, as the Tampa Bay Rays walked away with a 3-1 victory against the Detroit Tigers at Tropicana Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Rays took the early 1-0 lead on Lobaton’s first RBI single in the second, which scored James Loney.

However, the Tigers would respond in the top of the fourth as Miguel Cabrera launched his 25th home run and drove in his major-league leading 82nd run of the season.

Despite the long ball by Cabrera, Lobaton struck again in the bottom of the frame, ripping a single to center that would score Wil Myers and give the Rays a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Tigers starter Rick Porcello would surrender a walk to Yunel Escobar, allowing Luke Scott to score the third run of the game.

While the Rays offense squeaked out a few runs, Jeremy Hellickson pitched a solid game on the mound, surrendering just one run over six innings of work, striking out six batters and walking three. With the win, Hellickson registered his third straight victory an has won five of his last six decisions, improving to a 7-3 record on the season.

Fernando Rodney was able to buckle down and close out the game for his 17th save of the season, helping the Rays improve to a 43-39 record on the season, good enough for fourth in the AL East standings.