ST. PETERSBURG, FL — On this day in 2008, Tampa Bay Rays reliever Grant Balfour played a key role in a 3–2 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Tropicana Field.
Balfour entered the game in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and the Rays trailing 2–1. He retired the side without allowing a run and went on to earn the win as the Rays took the lead in the following inning.
The outing was the first of two wins Balfour recorded in the series, helping Tampa Bay sweep the Cubs in one of the signature interleague matchups of their 2008 American League pennant season.
