Tampa Bay Rays defeat Oakland Athletics 7-2 – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays continued their sensational run as they outclassed Oakland Athletics 7-2 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida in the opening game of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Oakland failed to live up to the expectations in a game that proved to be fairly one sided. Despite going 1-0 ahead in the second inning, the Athletics were unable to find winning ways.
B.J. Upton doubled to deep right centre in the third and Sean Rodriguez scored to level the score 1-1 for the Rays. Luke Scott, Matt Joyce and Upton combined to make a brilliant play in the third to give 3-1 lead to Tampa Bay.
Desmond Jennings, Carlos Pena and Jose Molina also played a key role in deciding the outcome of the game. David Price pitched with great control and accuracy as he allowed an earned run and three hits to help the Rays win their 13th game at Tropicana
Field.
"I hope (Shields and I) continue to win, that we compete to match each other win for win," said Price. "If we're both winning that means the Rays are winning."
"He's still a young man with a great arm, so we have to take care of him," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Price. "He's still learning his craft and look out when he does."
Rays have emerged as a major force to be reckoned with this season as they improved their record to 19-8 on Friday evening. Joe Maddon and company started the season with the series sweep against the mighty New York Yankees. Although they lost their next
two series against Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox, the Rays have raised their game to a very high level since then.
Beating the likes of Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners, the Rays has shown that they have the ability to floor even the best in the business. If Joe Maddon’s team can continue their impressive form
throughout the year, they will surely have a great opportunity to make it to the playoffs.
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