ST. LOUIS -- Buoyed by a four-run third and stingy relief work, the Rays opened their three-game series against the Cardinals with a 7-3 victory at Busch Stadium on Friday night. The Rays' fourth win in five games helped them keep pace in a crowded American League Wild Card race, where they sit sandwiched among seven teams within three games of the second Wild Card spot.
The Cardinals, who are also chasing a playoff berth, continue to slide in the opposite direction. With their eighth loss in 11 games, they remained 4 1/2 games behind the Cubs in the National League Central and five back of the Rockies for the NL's second Wild Card spot.