Rays defeat Reds for first time with Longo's walk-off homerun

Longoria has been in a giant slump for the home crowd at Tropicana Field. But on Tuesday night, his walk-off homerun with none on, and zero outs gave the Rays their first franchise  against the Reds.

Evan Longoria has hit five homeruns in the last eight game, the four previous homers all came in away games. This time he slammed a 0-1 pitch from Reds pitcher Logan Ondrusek into left-field. Longoria has hit only three homers and has only four RBIs in his 24 games in Tropicana Field.

"Going into the ninth, it was a pretty tough game for me offensively, again. But to turn it around with one swing of the bat was a good feeling," said Longoria who was 0-3 before his walkoff homerun.

Longoria was backed up by David Price, tuesday's starting pitcher, and Johnny Damon. Or should I say, Longoria backed up Damon.

David Price, Tuesday nights starting pitcher, took a perfect game into the fifth inning. Johnny Gomes was credited with the first Reds hit which was a hard one-hopper to the Rays shortstop Reid Brignac. It was first ruled error by Reid Brignac, who attempted to backhand the ball, but later in the game the ruling was changed to a single.

David Price pitched 7 2/3 innings and allowed two runs and six hits, he also pitched twelve strikeouts which ties a career high. He struck out four of his first five batters, and his final three all went down on fastball that were clocked at 97 mph.

As well as David Price, Cueto had a no-hitter through three, until Johnny Damon broke it up with a solo shot hitting leadoff in the fourth.  Damon drove in three runs for the Rays. This included the two run double that gave the Rays the lead in the bottom of the eighth.

David Price said after the game,"That was a big hit by Johnny. It was a clutch hit. He's got about 2,600." 2,653 hits to be exact, which is one hit away from tying Ted Williams for 71st place on the all times list.

It wasn't over there though. Johnny's double gave the Rays a 3-2 lead, and the Reds had one last chance to put themselves on top, or tie it up.

Kyle Farnsworth came in to close the game.  Jay Bruce smashed a solo homer to tie the game at three. This was Bruce's 18th of the season, this was also hit first homer in 84 at-bats.

Obviously, we all know what happened after that. Longoria came up in the clutch with the walk-off homerun.

Game Notes: David Price got a no decision, Brandon Phillips went one for four with a double on his 30th birthday