Tampa Bay 4, Angels 2
KEY MOMENT: In a matchup of former Long Beach State standouts, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria crushed a home run to left-center field off Angels right-hander Jered Weaver to lead off the third inning. Longoria’s sixth homer of the season gave Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead.
AT THE PLATE: The Angels threatened off Tampa Bay reliever Kevin Jepsen in the seventh inning when Kyle Kubitza singled and Johnny Giavotella walked with two outs. But Erick Aybar, who singled in a run in the third and lined into a double play in the fifth, grounded out to second base. The Rays added an insurance run in the eighth on back-to-back doubles by Steven Souza Jr. and Asdrubal Cabrera.
ON THE MOUND: Weaver (4-6) gave up four runs and eight hits in 72⁄ innings, walking three and
3 striking out one. Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez (5-2) allowed two runs and five hits in five innings to earn the win, and relievers Steve Geltz, Jepsen, Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee combined for four scoreless innings.
FREESE UPDATE: Third baseman David Freese, pulled in the seventh inning Tuesday because of a tight right hamstring, did not start Wednesday but pinch-hit in the ninth, striking out to end the game. He does not appear to be headed to the disabled list. “Right now, it looks like something that’s very manageable,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: The Angels picked Newport Harbor High pitcher Jonah Dipoto, son of General Manager Jerry Dipoto, in the 38th round Wednesday. “He’s probably going to be unsignable,” scouting director Ric Wilson said, and he wasn’t really joking. Jerry Dipoto said his son will play next year at UC San Diego. “I was a bit uncomfortable at first, but will admit to having been thrilled to hear his name called,” Dipoto said. … The Angels picked Gannon (Pa.) University right-hander Aaron Cox, the brother of center fielder Mike Trout’s longtime girlfriend, Jessica Cox, in the 19th round.
EXTRA BASES: To make room for Kubitza, outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who hit .136 in 10 games, was designated for assignment.
UP NEXT: Right-hander Garrett Richards (5-4, 4.14) will oppose Tampa Bay right-hander Alex Colome (3-2, 4.54 ERA) at Tropicana Field on Thursday at 4 p.m. PDT. On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 830.