Final
Crisp, Gray help A's edge Rays
Sep 1, 2013 - 6:16 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Coco Crisp went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBI to back 6 2/3 scoreless innings from Sonny Gray, as the Oakland Athletics beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-1, in the second test of a three-game series.Gray (2-2) gave up five hits while striking out seven for the Athletics, who are two games back of the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West.
"We're in a good position right now," Crisp said. "We just have to go out and continue to have fun."
Alex Cobb (8-3) got the start for Tampa Bay and gave up two runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking four over eight innings. The right-hander suffered his first loss since April 30 against Kansas City.
Desmond Jennings drove in the lone run for the Rays, who trail the Red Sox by 4 1/2 games in the AL East. They trail Oakland by 1 1/2 games for the AL's first Wild Card spot.
Oakland had a chance to get on the board in the first inning. Crisp singled and Josh Donaldson walked to put men on first and second with no outs. Cobb, though, settled down and recorded the final three outs of the frame.
Tampa Bay left a runner on third in the fifth. Jose Lobaton hit a one-out double and moved to third on a balk. David DeJesus grounded out to first to end the inning.
The A's broke the scoreless tie in the sixth. Stephen Vogt led off with a triple to right and raced home on Crisp's single to right-center field.
The Rays left men in scoring position in the seventh and eighth.
"The offense really needs to pick up a bit," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
Crisp homered in the eighth to make it a 2-0 contest.
The A's sent Grant Balfour to the mound in the ninth. With one out, Wil Myers doubled and James Loney walked. Jennings' RBI-single to center made it a one- run game. Balfour got Sean Rodriguez to ground out to end the game.
Game Notes
The Rays lead the season series by a 3-2 margin ... Balfour picked up his 35th save of the season ... Tampa Bay went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine, while Oakland went 1-for-5 with RISP and left four men on.
- TAMPA BAY: 1
OAKLAND: 2
Final
Sep 1 12:14 AM - Desmond Jennings single to center scored Wil Myers with two out. On the play, James Loney advances to second. Runners on first and second and Sean Rodriguez due up.
Rays 1, Athletics 2 Top 9, 2 OutsSep 1 12:12 AM - Coco Crisp one-out, solo Home Run (15) to right. Josh Donaldson due up.
Rays 0, Athletics 2 Bot 8, 1 OutAug 31 11:54 PM - Coco Crisp single to center scored Stephen Vogt with none out. Runner on first and Josh Donaldson due up.
Rays 0, Athletics 1 Bot 6, 0 OutsAug 31 10:55 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
OAKLAND: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Aug 31 9:09 PM
Related News
- Elephant Rumblings: Post-Christmas lull at full throttle Dec 26
- Twas The Night Before Christmas... Dec 24
- Elephant Rumblings: Luis Morales a prospect to watch in 2024 Dec 24
- 2023 Athletics Season in Review: Lawrence Butler Dec 23
- Elephant Rumblings: Giants Strike Out in Free Agency Once Again Dec 23
- 2023 Athletics Season in Review: Esteury Ruiz Dec 22
- Elephant Rumblings: MLB approves 2024 rule changes Dec 22
- 2023 Athletics Season in Review: JJ Bleday Dec 21
- Elephant Rumblings: Replies off, talk to the hand Dec 21
- Sean Newcomb undergoes knee surgery Dec 20
- 2023 Athletics Season in Review: Kevin Smith Dec 20
- Elephant Rumblings: A’s agree to terms with Trevor Gott Dec 20