Yunel Escobar slides into home scoring a run for Tampa Bay (photo/MLB)
The Tampa Bay Rays had been shutout for three straight games and the Cardinals had posted three straight shutouts against the Rays and Toronto Blue Jays combined. It had to end at some time.
Desmond Jennings’ two-run single snapped a Tampa Bay club-record 31-inning scoring drought in what turned out to be a four-run rally against Cardinals starter Michael Wacha, as the Cardinals lost 6-3 Wednesday night.
Wacha falls to 4-5 after being spotted an early 3-0 lead.
Yadier Molina singled home Matt Carpenter and Allen Craig after Carpenter walked and went to third on Craig’s double in the third. In the top of the fourth, the Cardinals only other run came when Carpenter singled home Jon Jay.
The Cardinals had the bases loaded with one out, but Randy Grichuk struck out and Matt Holliday lined out as Rays starter Erik Bedard escaped further damage.
Matt Joyce had an RBI single, and a second run scored on an error when center fielder Peter Bourjos misplayed the ball. Wacha walked Yunel Escobar and Ryan Hanigan to load the bases, and Jennings drove in two with a single.
Tampa Bay added two more runs off relievers Carlos Martinez and Randy Choate.
