Hitless Run wins Game for Angels

Cameron Maybin #9 of the Los Angeles Angels sprints home to score on a sacrifice fly by Andrelton Simmons during the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 22, 2017 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

(May 22, 2017 - Source: Brian Blanco/Getty Images North America)

A hitless run decides the game as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (24-23) win at the Tampa Bay Rays (23-24) in the opener of their four-game series.

The Angels were the first to get on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter LF Cameron Maybin reached on an infield single. He stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error from C Derek Norris.

The Halos went on to load the bases with walks to CF Mike Trout and cleanup hitter Luis Valbuena. SS Andrelton Simmons followed with a sacrifice flyball and drove in Cameron Maybin for the first run of the game.

The Rays responded immediately and took the lead in the bottom of the frame with a couple of blasts from LF Corey Dickerson and 1B Logan Morrison. Both players now have 12 home runs this season.

The Angles tied the game in the fifth inning. With one out, Cameron Maybin hit the C Ring of the catwalk, which counts as a home run according to the ground rules at Tropicana Field.

In the seventh inning the Angels regained the lead without a hit. 1B Jefry Marte led off with a walk and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. With one out, 2B Nolan Fontana flied out and moved Jefry Marte to third base. Cameron Maybin and Mike Trout loaded the bases with back-to-back walks. Jefry Marte then went on to score on a wild pitch to put the Halos up 3-2.

CL Bud Norris pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to earn his 9th save of the season. He now posts a 2.66 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP.

Angels’ SP J.C. Ramirez (4-3) worked 6.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 walk and 2 earned runs while striking out 5. He has a 3.81 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP to show for this year.

Tampa’s SP Jake Odorizzi pitched 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 walks and 2 earned runs while fanning 8. He now has a 3.14 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP on the season.

Cameron Maybin went 2-for-3 with 2 runs, 1 HR and 1 RBI. He is batting .244 and has 25 runs, 2 HR and 11 RBI in 2017.