Angels right-hander Chase Silseth had a shaky start, giving up one hit and two runs in the first inning.
“He’s certainly been one of our best the last few weeks,” manager Phil Nevin said before the game. Nevin added that Silseth is a “young pitcher trying to find his way two years out of college,” but said he has seen improvement in Silseth’s endurance.
The 23-year-old gave up five hits and five runs while walking three and striking out four across 3⅔ innings.
Randal Grichuk made a leaping catch to take a home run away from All-Star Yandy Díaz to slow the Rays in the second inning. Mickey Moniak hit an RBI single and Matt Thaiss scored on a sacrifice fly by Grichuk to tie the score 2-2.
The Angels (61-63) surged in the third inning, scoring four runs. Rookie Nolan Schanuel got his second major league hit and ultimately scored on a passed ball by catcher Rene Pinto. Mike Moustakas also scored on a passed ball, and Grichuk hit an RBI double.
Tampa Bay’s Josh Lowe went three for four, including a one-out solo homer in the fourth.
A leadoff home run by Brandon Drury in the fifth inning, his 16th homer of the season and second solo shot this month, extended the Angels’ lead to 7-5. He went three for four.
Silseth was pulled after giving up a two-run home run to Pinto followed by a single and a walk in the fourth. Griffin Canning fared well in relief, giving up two hits and one run over 3⅓ innings. Matt Moore pitched a hitless eighth and Reynaldo López earned the save with a scoreless ninth.