The St. Louis Cardinals (64-65) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (61-67) 7-4 on Thursday night at Steinbrenner Field in the first game of a three-game interleague series. For the Rays, it was their fourth straight loss.
Though the Rays got on the board in the first inning, St. Louis answered with a five-run second to take control of this game. The Rays pulled within 5-3 but that would be as close as they would get en route to the 7-4 loss. Joe Boyle (1-3 5.40) took the loss allowing six runs - five of them earned - on nine hits in four innings of work.
The Rays will now look to bounce back and even the three-game series with the second game of the series coming up on Friday night. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:35 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES