Rays 5, A’s 4 - Mallex Smith: Face of the Rays

This one was a blast, you guys.

After 19 innings of baseball yesterday, it would not have been much of a surprise to see some sluggish effort from the Rays bats.

Good luck telling that to Mallex Smith, Colby Rasmus and Timmy Beckham, however. This trio would have none of that, as they led the way for a satisfying Rays victory during Sunday’s matinee.

The first few innings were all Oakland’s, as the Stephen Vogt show was on display, as he was responsible for putting the A’s up 3-0 with a 2-RBI single in the 2nd and an RBI double in the 4th.

The Rays would strike back in the bottom of the 5th, as back to back to back doubles from Daniel Robertson, Mallex Smith and Corey “Big Swinging” Dickerson put the Rays within one run, and Evan Longoria closed the deal to tie it up at 3.

Tampa Bay had to battle back again in the 6th, down 4-3. Colby Rasmus answered the call, knocking Liam Hendricks’ offering into dead center field and over the fence to tie the game 4-4.

Mallex Smith would be the difference again the 7th, as his bunt single caused an errant throw that allowed him to advance all the way to third. Corey Dickerson did his job, as his sac fly to former Ray, Matt Joyce, allowed Smith to trot home to put the Rays up for good.

Chris Archer battled through 114 pitches over 6 innings, giving up 7 hits, 4 runs and 3 walks while striking out 8 on the day.

Alex Colomé certainly made it interesting in the 9th, as he gave up a walk and two singles to load the bases with one out, before digging out of the jam.

4-3 was your final, bringing the Rays record to 34-32 on the season. The boys will head up to Toronto for a two game series against the Jays on Tuesday. The Rays are now third in the division.