Tampa Bay Rays lose to Oakland Athletics 4-5 – MLB Update
Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Oakland Athletics 4-5 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Friday, August 24 in second game of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Ben Zobrist provided the Rays with an excellent start as he homered to right in the second inning to make the score 1-0. The A’s responded immediately, scoring twice in the fourth inning to claim a crucial 2-1 lead.
Jeff Keppinger hit a sacrifice fly to centre in the fourth and B.J. Upton added a double to left in the fifth to restore Rays’ one run lead. A’s designated hitter Jonny Gomes smacked a home-run in the closing stages of the game to take his side to a much
needed victory.
"I think we're pretty hot, too," said Oakland starter Jarrod Parker, up seven hits and three runs while striking-out seven, in six solid innings.
"I don't know what to say about that one," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "No one has the green light at third, let's put it that way.”
"It really was frustrating. That's a game we normally win," Maddon said. "I've got to give Oakland a lot of credit. Oakland is really playing well. It's very similar to our group of players. They're no fluke. You've got to bring your `A' game to beat them."
Rays dominated the Athletics in series opener with a 5-0 victory and they were hoping to continue their excellent run in Game 2 as well. However, the A’s regrouped and fought back superbly on Friday to keep the series alive.
Despite taking the loss, Rays are placed second on the American League East Division standings just three games behind the leaders, New York Yankees. It will be interesting to see if the Rays can grab one of the two wild card spots to reach the playoffs.
Oakland, on the other hand, should be given credit for their determination and composure in a game that was extremely important to them. They will be looking to take the winning momentum in to the finale to stay in the playoffs race.
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