• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Longoria's two-run homer carries Rays past A's

May 20, 2008 - 7:08 AM By Michael Duca PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) - Rookie Evan Longoria's two-run homer in the 13th inning off Chad Gaudin helped lift the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night.

Rays reliever Jason Hammel (3-2) went three scoreless innings for the win and Troy Percival collected his 12th save in his 18th appearance. It was Percival's first appearance against the A's since the 2004 season.

Hammel was making his first appearance in 11 days.

"I walked with Hammel in the outfield before the game, and told him that I know it stinks, but you need to stay ready," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We will need you at some point and you are going to come through for us - like (Monday)."

Oakland almost made up for Gaudin's (3-1) mistake as Percival walked Emil Brown with two outs before rookie Daric Barton hit an RBI triple high off the scoreboard in right to make it a one-run deficit. But the veteran righthander got Kurt Suzuki to pop up to end the contest.

Tampa Bay starer James Shields, who entered the game having allowed only two home runs over his last 59 innings, allowed that many to Frank Thomas and another to Brown.

"They were just two home runs," said Shields, who gave up five runs in 7 2/3 innings. "It's not that big a deal. I know we have a good team, and I had to hold them so we could come back."

Shields retired 10 consecutive hitters immediately after allowing Brown's solo blast in the second as Oakland grabbed a 3-0 early lead. But A's starter Joe Blanton could not hold the advantage.

Eric Hinske doubled and lined a two-run fifth-inning homer to cut Tampa's deficit at 3-2. The Rays took the lead in the next frame behind runs from Longoria and Cliff Floyd.

Thomas tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with his second blast, giving him his 33rd multi-homer game, but the Rays struck back with reliever Joey Devine on the hill.

None of that impressed Akinori Iwamura, whose 26 hits in May lead the American League . Iwamura doubled over Jack Cust's head, scoring Jason Bartlett from first as the Rays regained the lead at 5-4. Oakland's Keith Foulke quelled the rally and pitched the eighth unscored upon.

Oakland tied the game in the eighth, when Cust was hit in the foot by Shields' curveball. Pinch-runner Rajai Davis entered for Cust, and took third when Thomas lined a 3-2 pitch to right for his third hit. Ryan Sweeney then delicately placed a soft single just out of Iwamura's reach to tie the game at 5-5 and chased Shields.

"I thought I made some quality pitches there," Shields said. "Frank hit a low 3-2 changeup, and Sweeney hit a cutter inside that I thought was a pretty good pitch."

A's closer Huston Street struck out a career-high five in two innings, but Oakland twice failed to score after the leadoff hitter walked, then wasted an 11th inning double by Brown.