Monday, 4 a.m.
There for a while, he was the incredible shrinking superstar.
Oh, no one doubted the ability of Junior Caminero. But as he walked toward the plate, he was mired in a 1-11 slump. In his most recent seven-plus games, he was 4-31 as the Rays' season spun out of control.
The Rays were in a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning. Caminero jumped on the second pitch he saw, driving it out of the park for a two-run homer, his 15th.
The homer sparked a five-run eighth, leading the Rays to an 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
Victor Mesa also homered in the eighth. Ben Williamson had homereed earllier in the game.
The Rays led 3-1 before the Angels tied things in the fifth on a home run by Donovan Walton and a single by Jo Addell.
The Rays pieced five pitchers together for the win. They allowed just five hits. Kevin Kelly (4-2) got the win.
Jonathan Aranda, Cedric Mullins and Mesa Jr. all had two hits for the Rays. Chandler Simpson had a two-run single.
The Rays now take on the L.A. Dodgers beginning tonight at Dodger Stadium at 10 p.m. Nick Martinez (6-2) will start for the Rays against Eric Lauer (2-5).