Pena's homer lifts Rays to extra-inning win

Reliever Brad Ziegler's record scoreless streak was ended by B.J. Upton,  and Carlos Pena homered leading off the 12th to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 7-6 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.

Ziegler started his career by not allowing a run in 39 consecutive shutout innings — including the eighth Thursday — to tie a 59-year-old major league record. Upton hit an RBI double to give the Rays a 5-4 lead in the ninth.

Pena hit his 23rd homer of the season off Santiago Casilla and Dioner Navarro added an RBI-single as Tampa Bay moved to 26 games over .500 for the first time in franchise history.

-- Associated Press

(Pictured: Carlos Pena. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[9equals8.com]

This team is amazing and I am lovin' every minute of it. I have an 8-year old son and it is such a great thing that I can teach him about baseball as well as many ilfe lessons with this team (such as life isn't fair, but you have to pick yourself up and keep on going). The team spirit of this team is really special and I think Andrew had it right when he didn't make a move at the deadline. I can only hope Crawford is back for the October activity and Gomes finds his stroke and can enjoy this ride. They have stuck it out all these years and deserve to enjoy the fruits.

[rocky]

Yes - all of our starters have been great but my logic is that Price would be better than at least 3 of them. Nothing against Edwin but I think he would make the move to the pen better than Garza or Sonny. I like the mix Sonny throws at teams (like a Wakefield)as well as his release point. The idea is what move would make our team better and I think Price in the starting rotation makes us a better pitching staff. I do not trust anyone else from Durham to come in during late innings of the pennant race. Just my thoughts.

[Tom]

Rocky - Edwin Jackson has been our most consistent starting pitcher over the past two months.

He has won his last four games. He has given up 3 runs or less in 8 of his last 9 starts.

Please explain your logic in wanting to move him to the bullpen.

Salas will be a nice fit in the Balfour role and Balfour will be fine as our closer.

Go Rays!

[rocky]

Another 1 run win and extra tums for me. Eric says it best - enjoy the pennant race. Still 3 up on Boston but more importantly we are now 6 games clear of the Twins. I still think that the September series against the Twins (19,20 and 21) will decide the playoffs. I already have my tickets for Saturday and Sunday. Time to bring Price up to start and add Jackson to the bullpen with Percival out. Jackson would fill Balfour's role nicely.

[Ray F]

Did everybody see Rocco got the #1 web gem on BBTN last night!!!

Awesome.

We need to sell out the Pit for Monday's game so Rocco can get a standing O from 36,000 Rays fans. Let him know how glad we are to see him back.

Good to see Pena getting back to form.

[Dave]

Yesterdays game was absolutely thrilling to watch. It was great to see Upton rip a shot to left. He's swinging so bad - hopefully he'll get red hot. Give credit to Navarro for driving in the 2nd run with 2 outs in the top of the 12th. Pena got the headline but Navarro won the game.

[Yup]

I'm with you boys!

[Brian]

Amen, Eric. I hope Jonny can come back at some point to enjoy this.

[Eric]

No matter what happens this season who would have thought the Rays would be 26 games over .500 in MID AUGUST???? The over/under in Vegas was 75 wins at the start of the season. Spring training was no fluke. For those fans who just like complaining to hear themselves complain, stop posting. I am trying to enjoy a pennant race.