José Caballero launched his first career grand slam in the opening inning. The Tampa Bay Rays held off the Los Angeles Angels for a 5-4 victory on Wednesday night, ending their five-game losing skid in a game featuring six total home runs.
Caballero’s slam gave Tampa Bay a 4-0 lead in the first, sending a 327-foot shot just over the short right-field wall at George Steinbrenner Field — the Rays’ temporary home while Tropicana Field undergoes hurricane-related repairs.
The Angels responded with solo home runs in the second, fourth, and fifth innings — from Jorge Soler, Taylor Ward, and Kyren Paris, respectively — to pull within a run. In the seventh, Yandy Díaz added insurance for the Rays with his own 327-foot solo homer. Paris answered with his second homer of the night in the eighth, cutting the lead to one again.
Paris now has five homers on the season. Soler notched his third, and Ward recorded his first of the year.
Ryan Pepiot (1-1) earned the win for the Rays, allowing three solo homers over five innings. Pete Fairbanks closed the game with a clean ninth inning for his second save.
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi (0-2) gave up four runs across six innings. Nolan Schanuel had two hits for Los Angeles, while Díaz and Curtis Mead each tallied a pair for Tampa Bay.
Angels third baseman Yoán Moncada exited early due to right thumb soreness.
Key Moment
With the tying run on base in the ninth, Fairbanks retired Mike Trout on a foul pop-up to end the game after walking Schanuel with two outs.
Key Stat
Caballero’s grand slam came in his 688th career at-bat, now in his third MLB season.
Up Next
The series wraps up Thursday with Angels RHP José Soriano facing Rays RHP Zack Littell.
