The Padres rolled into Tampa Bay and won a big interleague series defeating the Rays in the first two of a three game series. Heath Bell collected two saves that was highlighted by a pitching gem by Mat Latos and plenty of offense in the final two games. Here is a rundown of the Padres series at Tropicana Field.

June 22^nd, 2010 Padres 2 Rays 1

WP Mat Latos (8-4)7IP 3H 0R 0ER 1BB 8K 0HR

LP Wade Davis (5-8) 4.33IP 4H 2R 2ER 5BB 1K 0HR

S Heath Bell (18) 1.33IP 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 2K 0HR

In a season being dubbed “The Year of the Pitcher” one Padre is starting to personify stand out as the representative from San Diego. That player is 22 year-old right-hander Mat Latos.  Tuesday night from Tampa Bay might go down as his second best start in his big league career. Latos allowed only three hits in seven innings in which he fanned eight Tampa Bay hitters. He retired the first eight batters he faced and allowed no runs.

The Padre offense threatened to open up the game in the first inning loading the bases after two outs. But Scott Hairston grounded out to end the inning leaving three runners on base.

The third inning started with a walk form Tony Gwynn Jr. He stole second base and then third on ball four to David Eckstein. Adrian Gonzalez popped up to left centerfield followed by Nick Hundley striking out looking.

 With runners still at the corners Chase Headley hit a grounder up the middle that appeared to be headed to the centerfield.  Shortstop Jason Bartlett made an amazing diving snag and threw to second base only to have the umpire call Eckstein safe on a close play allowing the run to score and the inning to continue.

Scott Hairston took a walk to load the bases for Will Venable. Big Willie Style took one for the team getting plunked on the allowing Eckstein to score from third. Oscar “The Armadillo” Salazar grounded out to third to leave the bases loaded.

Mike Adams came in for Latos in the bottom of the eighth retired pinch-hitter Hank Blalock for the first out. Adams then gave up a double to Jason Bartlett who was knocked in by John Jaso with a single to right center. Adams gave up another single by Carl Crawford that caught Jaso off guard and was thrown out at second.

Heath Bell came in relief with two outs due to Adams giving up three straight hits. Crawford stole second base to put the tying run in scoring position. He was not able to score as Evan Longoria struck out swinging for a huge third out for the Padres.

 Bell would walk Carlos Pena to start the ninth and then retire Right fielder Ben Zobriest with a fly ball to right. Pinch hitter Sean Rodriguez was caught stealing second base for the second out of the inning. B.J. Upton would strike out to end the game and give the men of the cloth a game one victory.

June 23^rd, 2010 Padres 5, Rays 4

WP Luke Gregerson (2-2) 1.33IP 1H 1R 1ER 1BB 4K 1HR

LP James Shields (6-7) 7IP 6H 4R 4ER 1BB 7K 2HR

S Heath Bell (19) 1IP 1H 1R 0ER 0BB 1K 0HR

Adrian Gonzalez hit his team leading 16^th round-tripper in the sixth inning as part of a three-home run effort that put the Padres in the “W” column for the second straight day against the Tampa Bay Rays. Will Venable had a two run shot in the fifth to break a scoreless tie.

Tampa bay would rally to tie a three run deficit in the bottom of the sixth highlighted by a runscoring double by B.J. Upton and a sacrifice fly by Willie Aybar. Sean Rodriguez would homer to centerfield to complete the scoring for the inning.

Scott Hairston would start the top of the seventh with a single to centerfield. He would advance to second on a balk but remained there on a pop-out by Will Venable and strikeout by Aaron Cunningham.  But Jerry Hairston Jr. came up big the Padres again as he has all season. With two outs he singled in his brother with a hit to left field for the go-ahead RBI.

Chase Headley hit his fifth home run of the season in the top frame of the ninth for a 5-3 lead. This insurance run would prove crucial as Heath Bell would surrender a double in the bottom of the ninth that would later score on Chase Headley’s throwing error with two outs. Evan Longoria would have an inning-ending strike out for the second straight night by Heath Bell, this time to end the game and give the Padres the series victory.

June 24^th, 2010 Padres 3 Rays 5

WP Matt Garza (8-5) 8IP 6H 3R 3ER 5K 1HR

LP Wade LeBlanc (4-5) 5.33 11H 4R 4ER 1BB 4K 2HR

S Rafael Soriano (17) 1IP 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 1K 0HR

Matt Garza prevented the sweep with eight solid innings striking out five and Rafael Soriano pitched a perfect night to give the Rays a 5-3 victory. Kelly Shoppach hit a go ahead solo homerun in the sixth to give Tampa Bay a 4-3 lead.

B.J. Upton gave Tampa Bay an early lead with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first. The Rays had opportunities to score but had inning ending double-plays in the second and third innings with runners on first and third.

Oscar Salazar did his best Adrian Gonzalez impersonation with the bat while filling in for him in the field.  “El Armadillo” clobbered the first pitch he saw to break a 1-1 tie in the top of the second with a two-run bomb. Jerry Hairston Jr. had an RBI single bringing home Will Venable one pitch earlier to tie the game at one all.

Willy Aybar hit a two-out two –run single to tie the game at three runs apiece. Carlos Pena lead off the sixth with a solo homer to extend the lead to the final score of 5-3.