for Tampa Bay, which has won two straight after a 1-8 skid.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Wil Myers never stopped working diligently during his recent slump. Neither did the Tampa Bay Rays during their recent skid. The rookie slugger and his teammates are both seeing rewards for their persistence heading into the final weeks of the playoff chase. Myers hit two homers off Jered Weaver, and the Rays kept pace in the AL wild-card race with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. Myers had never faced Weaver, but he homered on the first pitch he saw from the Angels longtime ace in the second inning. He homered again in the seventh on Weavers first pitch after a mound visit, driving a two-run shot into the Rays bullpen behind left field. "The only way to get through a slump is to keep hitting," said Myers, who batted just .209 in August after an impressive start to his major league career. "You cant take days off. Its good to be able to help the team like that. Definitely a nice feeling." Tampa Bay (77-61) stayed 2 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees atop the wild-card standings and remained 5 1/2 games behind first-place Boston in the AL East. "We dont want just a wild card," Myers said. "Were still trying to win the division. Its nice to not be looking from the outside the wild card, but we still want more than that." Myers is bouncing back from a rough stretch in August to stay in contention for the AL Rookie of the Year award alongside teammate Chris Archer, Texas Martin Perez and Angels leadoff hitter J.B. Shuck. Myers, who didnt get called up to the majors until June 18, had his first multi-hit game in two weeks during Tampa Bays win on Tuesday night. Weaver (9-8) yielded six hits over seven innings, but gave up two no-doubt shots to Myers, who hadnt homered since Aug. 14. "Hes got some pop, obviously," Weaver said. "Theres some holes there, but I didnt quite find those holes. Just two bad pitches ended up beating us, but I felt like I threw a good game for the most part. I threw up a quality start, which the only thing I could do. Its tough." Myers first homer off Weaver also produced his first RBI since Aug. 20. He finished with his second multi-homer game of the season, also doing it July 28 at Yankee Stadium. "Those balls were crushed," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "Thats nice to see. We could really use that right about now. This is a young man thats not overwhelmed. Hes going to have some moments, but thats a Cy Young-caliber pitcher, and he handled it well." Myers provided all the offence needed by Jeremy Hellickson (11-8), who pitched scoreless ball into the sixth inning of his first victory in nearly six weeks. Hellickson yielded four hits and two walks in his first start since spending a week in the minors to rediscover his form. "Sitting at home for those 4-5 days and watching the guys in the dugout having fun, and Im sitting on the couch by myself, it isnt too fun," said Hellickson, who never actually pitched in the minors. The bullpen also was solid for the Rays, who won their second straight after a five-game skid. Fernando Rodney earned his 32nd save in the ninth while making his first appearance in a week for Tampa Bay, which has won two straight after a 1-8 skid. Hellickson had allowed multiple runs in each of his previous six starts while going 0-5 with a 9.00 ERA, but he mostly avoided trouble from the Angels, who have lost two straight after winning nine of 10. Chris Iannetta hit a pinch-hit homer in the seventh for Los Angeles, which has lost 11 of 13 at home. "Weve been playing some good baseball," Weaver said. "We had some opportunities tonight, but Hellickson made some good pitches and kept us off-balance." Iannetta connected off Jake McGee to lead off the seventh, hitting his third career pinch-hit homer and his first since Sept. 29, 2009. The Angels catcher hadnt homered at home all season, hitting his other seven homers away from the Big A. Josh Hamilton went 1 for 3 with a walk in his return to the Angels lineup. The $125 million designated hitter is struggling with sinus congestion. NOTES: Iannetta hadnt homered in Anaheim since Aug. 29, 2012. ... Los Angeles allowed multiple stolen bases for the 28th time this season. ... Maddon said nobody showed up at a Long Beach sports bar late Tuesday night to take advantage of his Twitter offer to buy a beer for anybody in Rays gear. Maddon blamed himself for sending out the offer far too late to find any fans. Still, 20-25 Rays players, coaches and personnel enjoyed the "Win or Weep" party until well after 1 a.m. Maddon, the former Angels coach, still has his home in the area. Maury Wills Jersey .com) - The Milwaukee Bucks will try to get another win on this homestand Thursday night when they welcome the Utah Jazz to the Bradley Center. Corey Seager Jersey . The game marks the rare occasion when two homegrown running backs, Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders and Andrew Harris of the B.C. Lions, will start in the West Divisions battle for a Grey Cup berth. http://www.dodgerssale.com/dodgers-justin-turner-jersey/ . The Sochi organizing committee said in Fridays statement that the torch relay reached the North Pole on Oct. 19. Russian Polar explorer Artur Chilingarov, who led the mission, lit a special bowl at the North Pole sign. Cody Bellinger Jersey . "If we only consider this season," Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said, "there is just one club in Manchester -- and its ours. Fernando Valenzuela Jersey . Paul George and Darren Collison each scored 17 points and Roy Hibbert added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers (9-3), who won their third straight.MANILA, Philippines - Bibiano (The Flash) Fernandes retained his One FC bantamweight title Friday with a submission victory over Dae Hwan Kim in the main event at the MOA Arena.Fernandes, a Vancouver-based fighter from Brazil, locked in a rear naked choke at one minute 16 secondds of the second round for the win.ddddddddddddIn the co-main event, heavyweight Brandon (The Truth) Vera knocked out Igor Subora in the first round.One FC is an Asian-based mixed martial arts organization run by Canadian-born chief executive officer Victor Cui. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '