Tampa Bay Rays lose to Oakland Athletics 3-4 in series opener – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Oakland Athletics 3-4 in a thrilling encounter at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California on Monday, July 30 in the opening game of a three match series.
Chris Carter helped the A’s get off to a flying start with a double to deep left in the second inning. Kurt Suzuki also made the most of available opportunities as he earned an RBI single and Carter scored to double Oakland’s lead 2-0.
Brandon Hicks homered to right in the seventh to level the score 3-3 as the match entered a very fascinating phase. However, it was Jemile Weeks who hit a sacrifice fly to centre in the 15th and Brandon Inge had no hesitation in taking from third
to score the winning run.
"That's just been the way the game's been going for this team right now," Weeks said after his first career walk-off RBI. "I kind of was beating myself up before because I had some chances and didn't get it done. Another opportunity came, I just stayed confident
and it worked out."
Oakland, who has remained the hottest team in MLB since the All Star break, is occupying second place on the American League West Division standings and it will be interesting to see if they can give similar results in August and September to make it to
the playoffs.
For the Rays, Carlos Pena doubled to deep right in the fourth inning to level score. Matt Joyce also had a decent time on the plate as he added a solo home-run to right in the sixth. Starting pitcher David Price pitched seven effective innings while striking
out 11 but the Rays were unable to cross the winning line.
"It stinks any time you lose a game," Tampa Bay starter David Price said. "It's tough when you play for as long as we did tonight. To not be able to win that game stings a little bit."
Relief pitcher gave up the go ahead run to Weeks in the 15th to take his third loss of the season. The Rays will be disappointed as they were unable to get the job done against the Athletics.
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