ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Matt Garza pitched eight effective innings, Kelly Shoppach came within a triple of hitting for the cycle and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the San Diego Padres 5-3 on Thursday.
Garza (8-5) gave up three runs and six hits to rebound from a loss last Friday to Florida in which the right-hander allowed seven runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Tampa Bay also got home runs from B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena. Rafael Soriano pitched the ninth for his 17th save.
Oscar Salazar homered for the Padres, who won two of three in the interleague series. Wade LeBlanc (4-5) allowed four runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Tampa Bay All-Star left fielder Carl Crawford left after the second inning due to left shoulder soreness. Other details regarding Crawford’s injury were not immediately available.