Athletics: 2, Rays: 1 - Another day, another game with no offense

Tampa Bay Rays continue their homestand by hosting a four game series with the Oakland Athletics , who are on a 13 game winning streak.

Happy Birthday Joey!

The Rays scored first, in the 1st inning too! Randy Arozarena singled to open up the inning, then moved to 2nd on a Yandy Diaz groundout to the pitcher, then stole 3rd! Austin Meadows drove Randy in on a sac fly to give the Rays an early 1-0 lead.

Rich Hill started for the Rays and was able to get out of a couple of jams in the first three innings, including walking Tony Kemp, and hitting Mark Canha to put two runners on. Hill got Jed Lowrie to ground out to end the threat and the inning.

Oakland threated again in the 4th inning after a Matt Champman walk, Sean Murphy took Dick Mountain shallow to give the Oakland A’s a 2-1 lead.

Honestly, we could end the recap here, as that would be the final score. Rays would have a few opportunities to score runs, but couldn’t cash in on the opportunity

In the 3rd inning, Rays had two runners on with 1 out, but Austin Meadows struck out swinging, and Margot popped up a ball that looked to fall in no-mans land, but Oakland’s Stephen Piscotty made a diving grab to end the inning and the Rays’ threat.

Besides the 2 runs, Rich Hill had a really solid game, going 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB and 10 Ks!

Louis Head would come in relief for Hill, and racked up his first MLB strikeout & walk, but was good for 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. The last out was a bit unusual, though.

The Rays wouldn’t have another major scoring opportunity until the 8th inning, when Randy “Offense” Arozarena singled off of Jake Diekman with only 1 out. Yandy “Walkman” Diaz walked to put two runners on with 1 out and Austin Meadows at the plate. First pitch from Jake Diekman was in the dirt, to put the runners on second and third base with only 1 out. Austin was served a fat, 94.2 MPH fastball right down the middle.

He popped out. Margot hit a sharp groundout to end the inning.

Rays had another threat in the 9th inning when Yoshi Tsutsugo singled with 2 out, followed by a Willy Adames walk. But it was short lived as Fransisco Mejia hit a fly ball for the last out of the game.

Rays will look to get back on track against RHP Frankie Montas. Rays will counter with RHP Michael Wacha. Gametime is at 7:10 PM