A's Win 5-4 in Comeback Fashion vs. Tampa Bay

After being shut-out by the Ray’s in last nights 5-0 disaster, Oakland was desperate for a win.  And that’s just what they got, winning game two of three 5-4.

Though Jarrod Parker didn’t have his best stuff tonight, he was still very effective, allowing only 3 earned runs off 7 hits and two walks, and had an impressive 7 strikeouts through 6 innings.  He took a no-decision in the A's victory.

Tampa Bay’s Matt Moore had almost the exact same line, only pitching a third of an inning more, and not allowing a homerun.

Here’s the recap:

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Tampa Bay’s shortstop Ben Zobrist would step to plate and knock out his 15th homer of year, giving the Ray’s an early 1-0 lead. 

It was the top of the 4th, and with a triple and a walk, the A’s were able to score off a Josh Donaldson single to left that knocked in Yoesnis Cespedes.  Wasting no time, Brandon Moss took advantage of hit batter Derek Norris by reaching first base on an infield single, with Chris Carter coming across home plate for Oakland to lead 2-1

With none other than Ben Zobrist tripling to deep right field in the bottom 4th, Jeff Keppinger hit’s a sac fly to center field to score, tying the game at 2-2.

More work to do for Oakland in the 5th, as Jose Molina doubles and is then driven in by B.J. Upston (who doubles himself) to take a 3-2 lead over the A’s.  They would not score in the inning, however, with Ray’s hurler Matt Moore striking out Cespedes and Carter, and getting Johnny Gomes to fly out to center field.

It would be a laborious, and nerve-racking 6th inning for the A’s Jarrod Parker.  After settling down from allowing a leadoff single to left by Evan Longoria to retire the next two batters, Parker would allow a walk to Carlos Pena and a single to center from Ryan Roberts.  He then buckles down to get our of the mess, and strikes out Molina for the second time of the game.

Not standing pat, Josh Donaldson starts off the 7th by blasting a leadoff double to left.  Derek Norris makes Moore pay for allowing the leadoff man to get on, himself doubling to deep left with Donaldson scoring to again tie it up, now at 3-3.  After a wild pitch from Moore, Norris moves to third base.  And with that, Matt Moore’s night would be done, bringing in Jake McGee.  With Oakland again threatening to take the lead,  the Ray’s relief pitcher then strikes out Adam Rosales and Coco Crisp to end the inning.

Ryan Cook relieved Jarrod Parker in the bottom of the 7th, and made short work of  Desmond Jennings and B.J. Upton by striking them out, and getting Matt Joyce to ground out to second base.

Making another pitching change in the top of the 8th, Joel Peralta comes in to pitch for Tampa Bay.  It proves to be a bad switch.  With two outs and no men on, Chris Carter get’s things going with a single to right, and with one swing of the bat, Jonny Gomes laser-beams a 2-run shot out into the stands to take the lead at 5-3.

After two strikeouts and walk, Ryan Cook was done.  Bringing in Sean Doolittle to finish out the inning, Carlos Pena strikes out to do just that.

Wade Davis comes in to pitch for Tampa Bay, and easily retires the side with two strikeouts and a groundout.


Newly re-acclimated closer Grant Balfour just couldn’t shut it down with a 5-3 lead, as he allowed a leadoff walk who eventually scored off a pinch-hit double by Luke Scott (taking Jose Molinas spot), making it 5-4.  With a man at second, Balfour would straighten out, and induce three groundouts in a row to get his 13th save of the season.

Notes:

-Jonny Gomes went 1-for-4 with a two-run homerun and 2 RBI
-Josh Donaldson wen 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
-Chris Carter went 1-for-3 with a walk and 2 runs scored

Oakland is now tied with Baltimore and Tampa Bay for the lead in the America League Wild Card standings.

The A’s will look to take the series against the Ray’s in tomorrow’s 10:10 AM start

Posted in: ben zobrist,jarrod parker,Jonny Gomes,Josh Donaldson,matt moore,Oakland Athletics,Tampa Bay Rays,Yoenis Cespedes