ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- A solo homer by Carlos Pena in the sixth put Tampa Bay in front Friday and the Rays won their third straight game -- 5-2 over Detroit.
The division-leading Rays climbed to 20 games above .500 in a surprising season that has seen them, to this point, fight off Boston and the New York Yankees.
Tampa Bay overcame an early 2-0 deficit and moved in front on Pena's 19th homer of the year. Cliff Floyd scored later in the sixth on a wild pitch and Evan Longoria added a solo home run in the seventh.
Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir gave up only three hits, but did not last long enough to get the win.
Having thrown 110 pitches, Kazmir left the game with two away and two runners on in the fifth. Grant Balfour came on to strike out Gary Sheffield to end the threat.
Balfour (3-1) worked 1 1/3 innings and struck out four to get the victory. Troy Percival fanned two in the ninth to get his 24th save.
Zach Miner (5-4) took the loss, giving up three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.
