Rays 4 - 1 Athletics
Final
  for this game

Rays top A's in rubber match

Aug 2, 2012 - 3:06 AM

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Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Alex Cobb fired seven innings of one-run ball Wednesday as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Oakland Athletics, 4-1, in the rubber match of a three-game set at the Coliseum.

Cobb (5-8) surrendered just four hits and one walk while striking out six to snap a three-start losing skid. Fernando Rodney tossed a scoreless ninth to nail down his 31st save of the season.

Carlos Pena clubbed an RBI double and added a solo home run in the eighth to help the Rays wrap up a nine-game road trip at 6-3.

"We played very good ball clubs. We took series away from home, on the road, which is always a good sign," said Pena of his team's recent trip. "A 6-3 road trip is something that we need to be pleased about and we are."

Jarrod Parker (7-5) absorbed the loss after giving up three runs on eight hits and three walks over six frames.

"I'm not real happy with it," said Parker of his outing. "They took advantage and moved guys over and played baseball."

Brandon Inge provided the Oakland offense with a leadoff blast in the fifth as the A's lost for the third time in their last four games.

The Rays plated a run in their first at-bat as Desmond Jennings stroked a leadoff single, moved to second on a bunt and then found third on a groundout.

Matt Joyce then delivered a two-out base hit into right field to score Jennings for a 1-0 advantage.

Tampa Bay tacked on another run in the fourth as Jeff Keppinger ripped a one- out double and Ryan Roberts followed two batters later with a line drive single to left to provide the visitors with a two-run cushion.

Cobb had retired 10 straight batters before Inge got Oakland on the board in the fifth with a leadoff blast over the wall in left to bring the home team within 2-1.

The Rays responded in their next at-bat as Keppinger singled to start the frame before crossing home on Pena's double into the corner in right field.

Pena then added a one-out, solo shot in the eighth to account for the final margin.

Game Notes

The Rays open a six-game homestand on Friday with a three-game set against Baltimore...Oakland continues a ten-game homestand with three straight games against the Blue Jays beginning on Friday...Oakland went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six on base...The Rays finished 3-for-12 with men in scoring position and stranded eight runners.






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