Adames, Bauers homer for Rays in 7-2 win over Angels

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Willy Adames made the most of his first day as Tampa Bay's regular shortstop.

The rookie homered and drove in two runs to lead the Rays to a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night.

Tampa Bay designated slick fielding veteran shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria for assignment, clearing the way for Adames to start on a full-time basis.

"I would say it helped me a little bit," said Adames, who went into the game on an 8-for-53 slump. "You never want one of your teammates to get DFA'd but it's part of the business. I hope he knows that he's going to get a job. He's one of the best shortstops in the game."

Adames drove in a run with a two-out single off Angels starter Nick Tropeano in the fourth inning, then scored on Mallex Smith's triple. Adames led off the Rays sixth with his fourth home run to make it 4-2.

"It had to have been somewhat awkward knowing that we've got this defender who we consider as very elite," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. "We feel like that situation now has opened up for Willy to go play and have some peace of mind while doing so."

Jake Bauers added a two-run homer n the ninth for the Rays, his ninth of the season and third in three games.

Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow and left fielder Tommy Pham played in their first game for the Rays a day after being acquired on the interleague trade deadline.

Glasnow, making his first start of the season after 34 relief appearances for Pittsburgh, gave up one run in three innings while striking out five.

"I'm comfortable as a starter. I've done it my entire career so Im glad I'm getting put back as a starter," said Glasnow, who will stretch out his innings as a starter. "I think it will help just getting back in that routine."

Pham, who showed up at Tropicana Field just two hours before the game, went 0-for-3 with a hit batsman and a walk. He scored the Rays' first run after falling down on the basepath, explaining that his regular shoes have yet to join him.

Jake Faria, pitching for the first time since going on the disabled list with a left oblique strain June 22, got the win in the third relief appearance of his career. Faria (4-3) gave up one run on four hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Kole Calhoun hit the eighth pitch of the game into the fish tank behind the center field wall for the only run off Glasnow. Calhoun's 14th homer of the season was his 13th since coming off the disabled list on June 18.

"Kole Calhoun might the hottest guy in our league right now," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia.

Tropeano (4-6) gave up four runs on seven hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings. Three of the runs came in the decisive fourth inning, which opened with his plunking of Pham.

"The issue this season, especially today, has been the big inning," Tropeano said. "It's been haunting me throughout the year. I think that just stems from free passes."

OHTANI BENCHED

Mired in a 3-for-25 slump, Shohei Ohtani was out of the lineup Wednesday night. Manager Mike Scioscia said the RHP/DH was benched to get Mike Trout in the DH slot for one game on the artificial turf. Trout has been the DH for 14 of the Angels' 109 games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rays: LHP Blake Snell, out since appearing in the All-Star Game on July 17 due to left shoulder fatigue, is hopeful of returning this weekend after having a second bullpen session. A decision won't be made until the team sees how Snell responds Thursday.

UP NEXT

LHP Andrew Heaney (6-6, 0-4 on the road) will start Thursday's series finale for the Angels against Hunter Wood (0-0 in 11 appearances including three starts).