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McCarthy goes eight strong, A's rout Rays

Aug 7, 2011 - 5:36 AM St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Brandon McCarthy tossed eight shutout innings to guide the Oakland Athletics past the Tampa Bay Rays, 8-0, in the second of a three-game set at Tropicana Field.

McCarthy (5-5) scattered five hits, walked none and struck out five to pick up his third win in as many starts. He's won four straight decisions.

"[McCarthy] had a chance to go nine, but with his injury history we didn't want to push it," A's manager Bob Melvin said.

David DeJesus added a pair of solo homers and Coco Crisp had two hits, scored twice and stole four bases as the A's snapped a four-game skid.

Robinson Chirinos went 2-for-3 with a double and Evan Longoria added a hit for the Rays, who lost for the second time in five games.

Alex Cobb (3-2) was pegged with the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits in just 4 1/3 innings.

Following the game Cobb was taken to a local hospital after experiencing discomfort in his pitching hand.

Oakland jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the second. DeJesus hit a leadoff homer to right. Scott Sizemore then singled and Kurt Suzuki followed with a double to left to put runners at second and third. Adam Rosales grounded out, but Sizemore scored on the play.

Oakland added another run in both the third and fourth to go up 4-0. Crisp opened the third with a bunt single then stole second. Hideki Matsui grounded out, advancing Crisp to third before Josh Willingham scored Crisp with a sacrifice fly to left.

In the fourth Sizemore drew a walk, stole second then scored on Jemile Weeks' single to right.

The fifth saw Oakland push its lead to 5-0. Crisp singled before stealing both second and third. Cliff Pennington then hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to right off Brandon Gomes.

"The pitchers did not do a very good job [holding runners]," explained Rays manager Joe Maddon.

The A's added two more in the eighth, on a sacrifice fly from Rosales and a double from Weeks.

DeJesus put an exclamation point on the victory in the eighth after clubbing is second solo blast of the night.

Game Notes

The A's are 39-19 when scoring four or more runs...Matsui extended his hitting-streak to 14 games...Oakland stole seven total bases (Crisp four, Pennington two, Sizemore)...The Rays are 27-27 at home this season...Tampa Bay now trails the Yankees and Red Sox by ten games in the AL wild card and East standings.