ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon was more than happy to wait until the early morning hours for what he called an incredible victory. David DeJesus ended a nearly seven-hour game with a one-out RBI single in the 18th inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays took over sole possession of the top AL wild-card spot by beating the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 on Friday night. "Obviously, both teams really battled extremely hard," Maddon said. "You know both teams wanted to win it badly. To win that game means a lot based on the time of the year that it is." Tampa Bay started its game at 7:11 p.m., tied with Texas atop a crowded race for the two AL wild cards. By the time it ended 6 hours, 54 minutes later -- a record in time for both teams -- the Rays were a half-game ahead of Cleveland, which beat Houston 2-1 in a rain-shortened game. The Rangers lost to Kansas City 2-1 and dropped a half-game behind. Baltimore is 2 1/2 back. "Thats everything right there that you play 162 games for," Tampa Bays Chris Gimenez said. "Ive never been a part of a game that long. To win it, especially how we did it, I hope this is something we can take and kind of run with. It couldnt happen at a better time, Ill tell you that much. Its a huge win for us. The only thing we can control is how we go out and play. If we win, were in. Got that Al Davis mentality, Just win baby." Desmond Jennings had a one-out double in the 18th off Bud Norris (10-12) -- the Orioles 10th pitcher and one of a big league-record 21 used in the game. After Yunel Escobar walked, DeJesus won it on his line single to centre, ending the Rays longest game in franchise history and setting off a wild celebration. Luke Scott of the Rays came onto the field wearing a Chewbacca mask, while Jamey Wright dressed like a member of the rock band Kiss. Now the AL East rivals get to do it all over again at 1:05 p.m. Saturday. The Miami Marlins beat the New York Mets 2-1 in 20 innings earlier this season, the longest game by innings in three years. That game only took 6 hours, 25 minutes. Jeremy Hellickson (12-9), Sundays scheduled starter, allowed one hit in 2 1-3 innings of relief. Maddon said a decision on who will pitch Sunday has not been made. Ben Zobrist drove in the tying run in the seventh with an RBI single off Kevin Gausman after the Rays blew a 3-2 lead in the top half. Adam Jones greeted reliever Alex Torres with an RBI double and Danny Valencia had a sacrifice fly to give Baltimore the temporary lead. After Zobrist tied it, the teams traded zeros long into the night. From the eighth inning on, the Orioles had just two hits. The Rays had six. "Two teams wanted something very baldy and thats why those game go on like that," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "The games not always fair that night, but it usually evens out. Were all operating under the same umbrella and its part of the job description that you know, going in, theres going to be some times that will be challenging." Tampa Bay loaded the bases with two outs in the 15th, but failed to score when Tim Beckham was retired on a hard grounder to second. The Rays grabbed a 2-0 advantage in the first. Zobrist had an RBI double and later scored when first baseman Chris Davis was charged with an error for misplaying Matt Joyces grounder. Tampa Bay went ahead 3-0 during the second when slow-footed catcher Jose Molina doubled, went to third when Escobar hit a fly ball and scored on DeJesus sacrifice fly. Molina received a standing ovation after scoring. Orioles starter Jason Hammel, winless in his last 12 starts since beating Washington on May 27, gave up three runs and six hits over five innings. Tampa Bay left-hander David Price, who has gone five starts without a victory, allowed two runs and nine hits in his five-plus innings. "Devastating obviously," Orioles third baseman Manny Machado said. "It would have been much better if we had come out on top." NOTES: There were 593 pitches, 301 by the Rays and 292 by Baltimore, thrown in the game. ... Machado got hit around right hand by Jake McGees pitch in the seventh, but remained in the game. ... Jennings was a late scratch due to neck stiffness. He had a pinch-hit infield single in the 9th and stayed in the game to play centre. ... Tampa Bay recalled RHP Jake Odorizzi from Triple-A Durham. . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. [url=http://www.soccerrealmadridauthentic.com/womens-pepe-real-madrid-jersey/]Pe... Jersey . The lawyers filed a 33-page amended complaint Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan, expanding on the suit originally filed Oct. 3 in New York Supreme Court. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz last week refused to compel Selig to testify in the grievance, and Rodriguez then walked out of the hearing without testifying. . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. [url=http://www.soccerrealmadridauthentic.com/womens-luka-modric-real-madrid-jer... Modric Jersey . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has been ruled out for Sundays game against the Atlanta Falcons. Panthers coach Ron Rivera made the announcement following Fridays practice, adding that running back Jonathan Stewart (knee) and defensive tackle Colin Cole (calf) will not play either. Smith sprained his left knee during Carolinas 17-13 win over New Orleans last Sunday. The win assured the Panthers a playoff spot, but this weeks game looms even larger. Carolina (11-4) can wrap up the NFC South division title and a first-round bye by beating the Falcons. "Steve has actually improved a lot," Rivera said. "In Steves way he basically said if I had to I would play this weekend. He probably couldnt, but he would try." Rivera, however, said the team doesnt want to risk losing Smith for the playoffs. "Not a chance," Rivera said. "Its about going forward. This game is very important and we know it. But there are other things ahead, too." Rivera said if the Panthers dont win the NFC South and secure a first-round bye, he expects Smith would be ready to play next Sunday in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Smith leads the team with 67 receptions for 774 yards and five touchdowns. Ted Ginn Jr. is expected to start at wide receiver for Smith, but Domenik Hixon will see increased action. Falcons coach Mike SSmith acknowledged earlier in the week his team will probably alter how it defends the Panthers if Smith doesnt play.dddddddddddd "Steve Smith is one of the most competitive, not just wide receivers, football players that Ive been fortunate enough or, weve been fortunate enough, to compete against," Smith said. "He brings a lot of energy. He brings a lot of passion to the way he plays the game. You do defend a little bit differently when Steve Smith is in the game based on where hes aligned and what the down and distance is, because to me hes one of the marquis wide receivers still in the NFL." Rivera said hes interested to see what Brandon LaFell will do as Carolinas primary wide receiver. LaFell is third on the team in receptions with 49 for 627 yards and five touchdowns. "Brandon has done nothing but take strides and get better as a football player," Rivera said. "And it will also be good to see as far as Ted Ginn is concerned and Domenik Hixon. These three guys have done some really good things for us. It will help us gauge where were at." The Panthers are also expected to lean heavily on tight end Greg Olsen, who has 64 receptions for 747 yards and four touchdowns. NOTES: Safety Robert Lester was added to the injury report Friday as questionable after getting his ankle stepped on at practice. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '