The Angels dropped their fourth-straight game and 6-of-7 Tuesday night after losing to the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1. Once again the offense failed to support a shaky Dan Haren as they failed to score more than 3 runs for the 6th-straight game.
Haren (5-4) allowed 3 runs on 8 hits, striking out 6 and walking one. All the damage done to Haren happened early as the Rays scored a single run in the first, third and fourth innings. However Haren settled down and retired the final nine batter he faced, leaving after throwing 113 pitches (76 strikes) through seven innings.
Rays DH Johnny Damon led-off the game with a triple to left-center and scored on a Ben Zobrist RBI ground out. Two innings later, BJ Upton sent a blast to left, the sixth home run allowed by Haren this season. In the fourth Damon struck again, hitting the first of two doubles to drive in John Jaso.
The lone Angel run scored in the 6th when Howie Kendrick hit a ground rule double to right. The hit was Kendricks first since returning from the disabled list Saturday. Torii Hunter drove in Kendrick with a single to left.
Hunter and Bobby Abreu were the only Halos to have a multi-hit game as the Angels were unable to take advantage of the Rays' rookie pitcher. Alex Cobb (1-0) got his first major league win with 6.1 strong innings. Cobb allowed just one run on seven hits, while striking out 3 and walking none.
The Angels and Rays meet up again Wednesday night for the final game of their 3-game series. Jered Weaver (7-4, 2.14 ERA) faces James Shields (5-4, 2.77 ERA) at 7:05 (PDT).