Rays 4, A’s 2: Pepiot and Siri lead the way as Rays take series in Oakland
Pepiot earned a birthday win thanks to Siri blast in 6th
The last game the Rays will ever play in the Oakland Coliseum was a fun one that ended in a Rays victory and series win.
Ryan Pepiot took the mound for the Rays on his birthday opposite A’s starter, Mitch Spence. Much like Tuesday night’s affair, both starters fared well and pitched deep into the game. Pepiot was nearly perfect through the first four innings. His only blemish was a solo shot off the bat of JJ Bleday in the first inning. The blast came on a 0-2 pitch with two outs and gave the A’s an early 1-0 lead.
Mitch Spence would take that lead into the top of the fifth inning, but the Rays would finally score not once, but twice to take a 2-1 lead. Jose Caballero doubled to start the inning and Siri blooped a ball into center to give the Rays runners at the corners with nobody out. DeLuca hit a ground ball and Siri was retired at second, but Caballero scored to tie the game. Following an Alex Jackson strikeout, Yandy Diaz laced a opposite field double off the wall to score DeLuca and give the Rays a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, the A’s would tie the game. Following a Lwrence Butler 1-out double, Brent Rooker singled to tie the game. Pepiot then hit the next batter, Bleday, but was able to escape the jam.
The following half inning, Jose Caballero walked, but not before being hit by a pitch in the same at-bat. The home plate umpire ruled that he leaned into the pitch and ruled that the at-bat would continue. Kevin Cash took exception and was ejected in short order. It was his second ejection of the season. Following the walk, Siri stepped to the plate and launched a ball to deep left-center field to give the Rays a 4-2.
The blast was his second go-ahead homer in as many games.
Pepiot would exit after the siscth inning and thanks to the Jose Siri bomb, was in line for the win. He finished the night with six strong innings allowing just the two runs on three hits. He struck out five and walked one. He improved his record to 7-5 on the year.
Spence, for the most part, kept Rays hitters off balance all night going seven strong. He allowed the four runs on seven hits. He struck out ten and walked one. He took the loss, his ninth of the year (7-9).
Rasmussen, Cleavinger, and Rodriguez shut the door and got the final nine outs for the Rays.
Rasmussen had to work out of a bases loaded jam, but was able to get Rooker swinging with the high heat. Rodriguez got credit for the save, his first of the year.
With the win, the Rays will head to LA to face the Dodgers. Their record now sits at 64-62.