Key facts
- Junior Caminero hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning.
- Victor Mesa Jr. added a two-run homer in the Rays' five-run eighth.
- Ben Williamson hit his second career homer for the Rays.
- Donovan Walton hit his first homer for the Angels.
- Angels starter Grayson Rodriguez left the game with low back tightness in the third inning.
Junior Caminero hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a series sweep with an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Victor Mesa Jr. added a two-run homer later in a five-run eighth for the Rays, who have won four of six. Ben Williamson connected early for his second career homer.
Cedric Mullins drew a leadoff walk from Sam Bachman (1-1) before Caminero hit his 15th home run to left field, ending his 10-game homer drought. Hunter Feduccia added an RBI single before Mesa hit his third career homer off Bachman. Donovan Walton hit his first homer for the Angels, whose four-game winning streak ended. Last-place Los Angeles had won five of six during the best stretch of its dismal season.
Angels starter Grayson Rodriguez left the game with low back tightness in the third inning after 47 pitches. Kevin Kelly (4-2) pitched two scoreless innings in a Rays bullpen game. Garrett Cleavinger escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth created by Craig Kimbrel.
Chandler Simpson had a two-run single for Tampa Bay in the third, and Williamson added his first homer in a Rays uniform in the fourth for a 3-1 lead. Angels outfielder Wade Meckler left in the fifth inning after crashing into the wall while trying to catch Williamson’s homer. Walton connected in the fifth for his first major league homer since 2024 and only the fifth of his seven-year career. Jo Adell poked a tying single through the infield moments later.