Getting Back To Where They Once Belonged: Rays Even Up With Yanks

If tonight was the last time you'll see Scott Kazmir in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform, he instantly upgraded his trade value. Kazmir put together an outstanding outing, out dueling high priced free agent C.C. Sabathia to help Tampa Bay even up the series against the Yankees with a 6-2 victory.

Kazmir's line was one of his best of the season, scattering five hits and one earned run in seven innings of work. He struck out four while issuing only one free pass. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay's hot—and—cold offense rumbled to life, hitting up Sabathia for five earned runs.

Tampa Bay opened the scoring in the second inning as catcher Dioner Navarro sacrificed home Ben Zobrist. They added to the lead in the third when Carl Crawford's triple scored BJ Upton. Evan Longoria batted Crawford in when a throwing error by A—Rod sent the ball into the stands.

The Yankees got on the board in the fourth inning, getting an RBI single by Hideki Matsui to cut the lead to 3-1.

The Rays would answer right back in the bottom half of the fifth as Evan Longoria broke out of his post— All-Star Break slump with his 20th home run of the season. Tampa Bay added two more runs in the sixth inning on a bloop single by Jason Bartlett and a double by BJ Upton.

The Yankees would get a "who cares" run in the ninth, but JP Howell would relieve Randy Choate to secure the final out and the victory.

Tampa Bay snapped a two game losing streak and earned a crucial victory over the team they're chasing for the division lead. Unlike the previous night, the Rays played their brand of baseball. Tremendous defensive plays by Bartlett and Upton, timely hitting, and superb starting pitching have been elusive for Tampa Bay this season.

The rubber match of the series will feature Matt Garza against Joba Chamberlin.