Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros play ten innings resulting in a 4-4 tie

The Game: The game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros went ten innings and ended a tie as neither team could push across the winning run.

Tampa Bay coming off a huge game against Toronto, picked up right where they left off by posting three runs to the scoreboard in the first inning. Elliot Johnson singled to lead off the game followed by a walk to Ben Zobrist. Evan Longoria plated the first run of the afternoon with a single to left field. Carlos Pena followed with an RBI double to score Zobrist. Longoria then scored on a sac fly by Kelly Shoppach to give the Rays a 3-0 lead.

Houston used the long ball to tied the game in the sixth inning. Kazuo Matsui singled to center to put a runner on the bases. Carlos Lee then struck a two run home run to left field. Pedro Feliz followed with a solo home run to tie the game 3-3.

The game was still tied and headed to the tenth inning when the Rays struck for a go ahead run. Cody Cipriano singled to center field followed by a walk to Greg Sexton. Kyle Spraker hit into a double play, losing Sexton at second by moving Cipriano to third. Cipriano then scored on a wild pitch to give the Rays a 4-3 lead.

Houston battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the tenth inning. Cory Sullivan singled to second then advanced to second on an error. Sullivan moved to third on a ground out by Jeff Keppinger then scored on a ground out by Jack Shuck to tie the game. The clubs decided to end the game in the tenth resulting in a 4-4 tie.

James Shields pitched 7 innings allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with 4 strikeouts in his final spring training outing. Dale Thayer followed with a no hit inning, striking out 1. Heath Rollins pitched the final 2 frames, allowing 1 run on 2 hits with a strikeout and a walk.

RP Top Prospect Watch:
Reid Brignac: 0 for 3 with 2 K’s.
Kyeong Kang: 0 for 1 with a strikeout.

A Look Ahead: The Rays (16-7-1) return home to Charlotte Sports Park Sunday afternoon to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (6-14). Matt Garza will be making his final spring start for the Rays.