Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Backed by a one-hit complete game from James Shields in the series opener, six shutout innings from Scott Kazmir and stellar bullpen work on Saturday night, and Carl Crawford’s 3-for-5 performance in the finale, the Tampa Bay Rays swept the Los Angeles Angels this weekend. Tampa Bay improves to 21-16, five games above .500 for the first time in franchise history.

Carl Crawford has played more games for Tampa Bay than any player in team history, so it was fitting that he delivered the blow that lifted the Rays into uncharted territory.

The surging Rays climbed five games over .500 for the first time in the club’s 11 seasons, with Crawford hitting a three-run homer, stealing two bases and scoring twice Sunday to pace an 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Carl Crawford hit a three-run homer and Cliff Floyd added a pair of run-scoring singles, helping the Tampa Bay Rays stop Ervin Santana from becoming the AL’s first seven-game winner with an 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Santana departed with a 5-4 lead with one runner on and two outs in the sixth inning, but the game quickly shifted when Justin Speier (0-3) entered and gave up a double to Akinori Iwamura and Crawford’s third homer of the season.

B.J.

Strong starting pitching, stellar defense and just enough offense to win close games. After a decade of life at the bottom of the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays are beginning to get things right.

Scott Kazmir pitched six scoreless innings and the improving Rays beat the suddenly punchless Los Angeles Angels 2-0 on Saturday night to hand Joe Saunders his first loss of the season.

With James Shields pitching the way he is, the Tampa Bay Rays are beginning to believe anything is possible.

Shields pitched a one-hitter and Evan Longoria’s two-run, ninth-inning homer gave the surging Rays a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.

The victory was Tampa Bay’s 11th in 16 games and lifted the Rays, who have won four of their last five series, three games over .500 (19-16) this deep into a season for the first time in franchise history.

The Tampa Bay Rays activated designated hitter-outfielder Cliff Floyd from the 15-day disabled list and designated outfielder Nathan Haynes for assignment after beating the Los Angeles Angels 2-0 on Friday night.

Floyd underwent surgery on April 11 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He hit .333 with two homers and five RBIs in four games prior to being sidelined.

Haynes hit .227 in 20 games.

James Shields pitched a one-hitter and Evan Longoria’s two-run, ninth-inning homer snapped a scoreless tie and gave the Tampa Bay Rays a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.

Shields (4-2) rebounded from the second-shortest outing of his career to post his second shutout in his past three starts.

Justin Upton, at just 20, may have the biggest upside of any D-backs player. He talked with Ken Rosenthal about being a big leaguer.

The Los Angeles Angels had the best home record in baseball last season, but so far in 2008 they’re doing their best work on the road.

A trip to Tropicana Field, however, looks a lot more challenging than it did a year ago.

The Angels will look to win their fifth consecutive road series when they travel to St. Petersburg on Friday for three games against the Tampa Bay Rays, who are trying to win their franchise record-tying seventh straight at home.

Dioner Navarro hit a grand slam in the 13th inning after Carl Crawford drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 Thursday night.

Facing Toronto’s seventh pitcher, Shawn Camp (0-1), Jason Bartlett singled off the glove of second baseman Aaron Hill to begin the inning and went to third on Akinori Iwamura’s base hit.