Mariners Foil Rays Via Cano's 2-Run Double

Tampa Bay's David Price struck out 10 batters over eight innings, but his efforts went for nil as the Marines defeated the struggling Rays 3-0 over Robinson Cano's hit two-run double.

''We're a team that has to do anything to win a game,'' Cano said. ''We don't have three or four or five guys that'll hit 30 home runs, so we've got to play the little game, do the little things.''

The Rays sport the worst record in the league at 24-41 and even resorted to a Seminole man to inject some life into their fortunes. ESPN reports that Team manager Joe Maddon invited 77-year-old tribal elder Bobby Henry to invoke his "supernatural powers" specifically when in rainmaking. All of these did not change the fate of the Rays.

James Jones was instrumental in the game, hitting 3 of 4 including a single bunt that went in the middle of three converging players. That bunt loaded the bases for Cano, whose made an opposite field double in two runs to cement the Mariner's victory. The Mariners extended their scoreless streak to 19 innings and won for the eighth time in nine games.

''Our last seven or eight starts have been pretty darn good. Our starters have given us everything we've asked them and probably a little bit more,'' manager Lloyd McClendon said. ''With that our bullpen is even better.''

The Rays, who are perennial playoff contenders in four or the past six seasons, have lost 13 of 14 and are currently sporting the worst record in the major leagues at 24-41. It was at the end of 2007 when they were still known as the Devil Rays when Tampa Bay was 17 games under 0.500.

''Right now, we're the worst team. I don't anticipate finishing like that ... but right now, we've earned that position,'' Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said.

'Do I believe we can turn this around? Absolutely,'' he said. ''But right now, if you're a baseball fan watching us, and you look at everything, you have to consider us the worst team.''