Tampa Bay Rays weekly report

The Rays opened the week on Wednesday on a down note, losing 10-5 to the Los Angeles Angels, the Rays' fourth straight loss. Carlos Pena has his 30^th and 31^st home runs of the season, and Pat Burrell added a solo shot as the Rays took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, but then the bottom fell out and the Angels plated three in the sixth and five in the seventh. Grant Balfour (4-2) took the loss. He pitched 2/3 of an inning, giving up one hit and one earned run on a homer.

The Rays opened a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday with their fifth straight loss, falling 5-2. Carl Crawford went four-for-four and scored a run, but the Rays' offense managed little else as starter James Shields (7-9) struggled in the first three innings. Shields pitched eight innings, giving up eight hits, five earned runs and two home runs. Shields struck out seven.

The Rays broke their losing streak on Saturday with an 8-3 win over the Blue Jays. Scott Kazmir (7-7) had a solid outing and the Rays' bats gave them the advantage. Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria combined for three doubles and four RBIs. Kazmir pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, one homer, walked three and struck out seven.

In the rubber game of the series on Sunday, the Rays came out on top 5-2. After missing some opportunities to open it up, the Rays plated four runs in the bottom of the eighth when Greg Zaun belted his fifth career grand slam home run. Matt Garza started and struck out seven, and Dan Wheeler (4-3) took the win in relief, pitching 1 1/3 innings and striking out one.

The Rays on Tuesday took their third straight, a 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Gabe Gross, Pat Burrell and B.J. Upton each went deep as the Rays stay in contention for the AL Wild Card. David Price (6-5) allowed two runs over five innings to get the win. Price gave up seven hits, walked three and struck out five, and J.P. Howell pitched an inning, giving up a hit and a walk, but also striking out the side, for his 13^th save.