OAKLAND, Calif. -- Tampa Bay hasn't been so close to first place this late in the season since 2013, and Rays manager Kevin Cash wants his players to soak it up and enjoy every minute of it.
The roar that emerged from the clubhouse following Tampa Bay's ninth-inning comeback was proof that the Rays are doing just that.
Adeiny Hechavarria and Shane Peterson hit consecutive two-out RBI singles off closer Santiago Casilla in the ninth inning and Tampa Bay rallied to beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Tuesday night.
The win kept the Rays two games behind Boston in the AL East -- the closest they've been to the top since Aug. 26, 2013.
"It might come down to one game, two games," Peterson said. "At the end of the season, we realize this game tonight could have been the game that gets us over. I don't think it's going to burn us out. That's just how we are as a team."
Steven Souza Jr. hit his second home run in two games while Logan Morrison walked and scored, helping the Rays to their fifth win in six games against the A's.
Casilla (2-4) opened the ninth by retiring Evan Longoria on a grounder and getting Morrison to strike out swinging. Wilson Ramos then singled and pinch-runner Mallex Smith took second on a wild pitch. After Smith stole third, Casilla walked Brad Miller before Hechavarria singled to right to drive in the tying run.
Peterson, in his second stint with the Rays this season, followed with his winning hit.
"We see where we're at in the standings, we see who we're competing against," Cash said. "Two outs in the ninth against a guy that has closed a bunch of ballgames in his career, to find a way to win, that's what makes it special."
Khris Davis hit his 27th home run for the A's.
Adam Kolarek (1-0) retired one batter for his first major league win. Alex Colome pitched the ninth to complete the four-hitter for his AL-best 28th save.
Casilla's ninth-inning meltdown spoiled an outstanding outing by A's starter Chris Smith, who was in line for his first win since 2008.
Smith allowed one earned run and three hits and retired 15 of the final 17 batters he faced in his second career start. The 36-year-old right-hander, whose only win came as a reliever with Boston, struck out four and walked two.
"It's disappointing, but we have to move on," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "You're going to have games like that."
CASH BOUNCED
Cash was ejected for the third time this season by home plate umpire Bill Welke in the fifth inning after Souza struck out looking as part of a double play. "We didn't agree on the strike zone tonight early on," Cash said. "I'll leave it at that."
CHAPMAN'S REDEMPTION
Matt Chapman's fielding error in the second inning led to Tampa Bay's first run, but Oakland's rookie third baseman made up for it with a pair of defensive gems later in the game. Chapman made a spinning stop of a sharp grounder by Ramos then threw to first for the final out in the sixth. He followed that up in the ninth with a diving grab of Evan Longoria's liner down the third base line and made a strong throw for the out.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: INF Rickie Weeks (right shoulder impingement) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham. ... RHP Nathan Eovaldi threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2016.
Athletics: OF Jake Smolinski, out since spring training after undergoing right shoulder surgery, took batting practice before the game. Smolinski's injury was initially thought to be season-ending. ... RHP Ryan Dull (strained right knee) could come off the DL when the team returns from its upcoming road trip July 28.
UP NEXT
RHP Sonny Gray (5-4, 3.72 ERA) pitches the finale for the A's on Wednesday afternoon as his name continues to appear in trade rumors. Gray has won three of his previous four starts. The Rays will counter with RHP Jake Faria (4-0, 2.00 ERA), who has seven consecutive quality starts to begin his career.
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
The roar that emerged from the clubhouse following Tampa Bay's ninth-inning comeback was proof that the Rays are doing just that.
Adeiny Hechavarria and Shane Peterson hit consecutive two-out RBI singles off closer Santiago Casilla in the ninth inning and Tampa Bay rallied to beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Tuesday night.
The win kept the Rays two games behind Boston in the AL East -- the closest they've been to the top since Aug. 26, 2013.
"It might come down to one game, two games," Peterson said. "At the end of the season, we realize this game tonight could have been the game that gets us over. I don't think it's going to burn us out. That's just how we are as a team."
Steven Souza Jr. hit his second home run in two games while Logan Morrison walked and scored, helping the Rays to their fifth win in six games against the A's.
Casilla (2-4) opened the ninth by retiring Evan Longoria on a grounder and getting Morrison to strike out swinging. Wilson Ramos then singled and pinch-runner Mallex Smith took second on a wild pitch. After Smith stole third, Casilla walked Brad Miller before Hechavarria singled to right to drive in the tying run.
Peterson, in his second stint with the Rays this season, followed with his winning hit.
"We see where we're at in the standings, we see who we're competing against," Cash said. "Two outs in the ninth against a guy that has closed a bunch of ballgames in his career, to find a way to win, that's what makes it special."
Khris Davis hit his 27th home run for the A's.
Adam Kolarek (1-0) retired one batter for his first major league win. Alex Colome pitched the ninth to complete the four-hitter for his AL-best 28th save.
Casilla's ninth-inning meltdown spoiled an outstanding outing by A's starter Chris Smith, who was in line for his first win since 2008.
Smith allowed one earned run and three hits and retired 15 of the final 17 batters he faced in his second career start. The 36-year-old right-hander, whose only win came as a reliever with Boston, struck out four and walked two.
"It's disappointing, but we have to move on," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "You're going to have games like that."
CASH BOUNCED
Cash was ejected for the third time this season by home plate umpire Bill Welke in the fifth inning after Souza struck out looking as part of a double play. "We didn't agree on the strike zone tonight early on," Cash said. "I'll leave it at that."
CHAPMAN'S REDEMPTION
Matt Chapman's fielding error in the second inning led to Tampa Bay's first run, but Oakland's rookie third baseman made up for it with a pair of defensive gems later in the game. Chapman made a spinning stop of a sharp grounder by Ramos then threw to first for the final out in the sixth. He followed that up in the ninth with a diving grab of Evan Longoria's liner down the third base line and made a strong throw for the out.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: INF Rickie Weeks (right shoulder impingement) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham. ... RHP Nathan Eovaldi threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2016.
Athletics: OF Jake Smolinski, out since spring training after undergoing right shoulder surgery, took batting practice before the game. Smolinski's injury was initially thought to be season-ending. ... RHP Ryan Dull (strained right knee) could come off the DL when the team returns from its upcoming road trip July 28.
UP NEXT
RHP Sonny Gray (5-4, 3.72 ERA) pitches the finale for the A's on Wednesday afternoon as his name continues to appear in trade rumors. Gray has won three of his previous four starts. The Rays will counter with RHP Jake Faria (4-0, 2.00 ERA), who has seven consecutive quality starts to begin his career.
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
10:05PM,EDT,July 18,2017
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland,California
Oakland Coliseum, Oakland,California
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Tampa Bay - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Smith pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Souza Jr. struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Dickerson struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Longoria flied out to right. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Blake Snell pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| R. Davis singled to right. | 0 | 0 |
| Semien struck out swinging, R. Davis stole second. | 0 | 0 |
| R. Davis stole third. | 0 | 0 |
| Healy struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| K. Davis homered to center (436 feet), R. Davis scored. | 0 | 2 |
| Lowrie struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Chris Smith pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Morrison walked. | 0 | 2 |
| Ramos grounded into fielder's choice to third, Morrison safe at third on error by third baseman Chapman. | 0 | 2 |
| Miller hit sacrifice fly to left, Morrison scored. | 1 | 2 |
| Hechavarria singled to left, Ramos to second. | 1 | 2 |
| Peterson grounded into fielder's choice to pitcher, Hechavarria out at second, Ramos to third. | 1 | 2 |
| Bourjos grounded out to third. | 1 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Blake Snell pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| Chapman flied out to center. | 1 | 2 |
| Rosales struck out swinging. | 1 | 2 |
| Phegley struck out swinging. | 1 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Chris Smith pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Souza Jr. homered to left (406 feet). | 2 | 2 |
| Dickerson grounded out to second. | 2 | 2 |
| Longoria fouled out to first. | 2 | 2 |
| Morrison walked. | 2 | 2 |
| Ramos grounded out to second. | 2 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Blake Snell pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| Brugman struck out looking. | 2 | 2 |
| R. Davis grounded out to pitcher. | 2 | 2 |
| Semien walked. | 2 | 2 |
| Healy lined out to center. | 2 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Chris Smith pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Miller flied out to left. | 2 | 2 |
| Hechavarria flied out to left. | 2 | 2 |
| Peterson grounded out to shortstop. | 2 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Blake Snell pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| K. Davis walked. | 2 | 2 |
| Lowrie walked, K. Davis to second. | 2 | 2 |
| Chapman flied out to center, K. Davis to third. | 2 | 2 |
| Rosales fouled out to catcher. | 2 | 2 |
| K. Davis scored, Lowrie to second on wild pitch by Snell. | 2 | 3 |
| Phegley singled to left, Lowrie to third. | 2 | 3 |
| Phegley picked off first. | 2 | 3 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Chris Smith pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Bourjos singled to center. | 2 | 3 |
| Souza Jr. struck out looking. Bourjos caught stealing second, catcher to second. | 2 | 3 |
| Dickerson flied out to left. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Erasmo Ramirez pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| Ramírez relieved Snell. | 2 | 3 |
| Brugman flied out to left. | 2 | 3 |
| R. Davis grounded out to pitcher. | 2 | 3 |
| Semien grounded out to first. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Chris Smith pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Longoria grounded out to third. | 2 | 3 |
| Morrison lined out to center. | 2 | 3 |
| Ramos grounded out to third. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Erasmo Ramirez pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| Healy struck out looking. | 2 | 3 |
| K. Davis struck out looking. | 2 | 3 |
| Lowrie flied out to center. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Chris Smith pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Miller struck out looking. | 2 | 3 |
| Hechavarria grounded out to third. | 2 | 3 |
| Peterson lined out to shortstop. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Erasmo Ramirez pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| Chapman grounded out to shortstop. | 2 | 3 |
| Rosales flied out to left. | 2 | 3 |
| Phegley grounded out to third. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Blake Treinen pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Treinen relieved Smith. | 2 | 3 |
| Alonso at first base. | 2 | 3 |
| Bourjos struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| Souza Jr. flied out to center. | 2 | 3 |
| Dickerson grounded out to second. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Andrew Kittredge pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| Kittredge relieved Ramírez. | 2 | 3 |
| Brugman struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| R. Davis singled to center. | 2 | 3 |
| Semien grounded into fielder's choice to second, R. Davis out at second. | 2 | 3 |
| Kolarek relieved Kittredge. | 2 | 3 |
| Semien to second on wild pitch. | 2 | 3 |
| Alonso struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Santiago Casilla pitching for Oakland | TB | OAK |
| Casilla relieved Treinen. | 2 | 3 |
| Longoria grounded out to third. | 2 | 3 |
| Morrison struck out swinging. | 2 | 3 |
| Ramos singled to left. | 2 | 3 |
| Smith ran for Ramos. | 2 | 3 |
| Smith to second on wild pitch by Casilla. | 2 | 3 |
| Smith stole third. | 2 | 3 |
| Miller walked. | 2 | 3 |
| Hechavarria singled to right, Smith scored, Miller to third. | 3 | 3 |
| Peterson singled to deep right, Miller scored, Hechavarria to third. | 4 | 3 |
| Hendriks relieved Casilla. | 4 | 3 |
| Peterson stole second. | 4 | 3 |
| Bourjos struck out swinging. | 4 | 3 |
| 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Oakland - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Alex Colome pitching for Tampa Bay | TB | OAK |
| Smith in left field. | 4 | 3 |
| Sucre catching. | 4 | 3 |
| Colomé relieved Kolarek. | 4 | 3 |
| K. Davis struck out swinging. | 4 | 3 |
| Lowrie struck out swinging. | 4 | 3 |
| Chapman hit by pitch. | 4 | 3 |
| Joyce hit for Rosales. | 4 | 3 |
| Joyce grounded out to first. | 4 | 3 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Tampa Bay Rays | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Souza Jr. RF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 19 | .271 | .367 | .514 |
| Dickerson DH | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | .308 | .349 | .536 |
| Longoria 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | .266 | .320 | .448 |
| Morrison 1B | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 20 | .256 | .368 | .565 |
| Ramos C | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | .244 | .289 | .512 |
Smith PR-LF
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .301 | .375 | .382 |
| Miller 2B | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14 | .194 | .338 | .315 |
| Hechavarria SS | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .268 | .276 | .304 |
| Peterson LF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 | .275 | .338 | .435 |
Sucre C
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | .268 | .397 |
| Bourjos CF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 21 | .242 | .292 | .424 |
| Totals | 32 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 132 | |||
| BATTING HR: Souza Jr. (20, 3rd inning off Smith 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: Miller (19), Souza Jr. (60), Hechavarria (4), Peterson (11) SF: Miller 2-out RBI: Hechavarria, Peterson Rays RISP: 2-5 (Hechavarria 1-1, Peterson 1-2, Bourjos 0-2) Team LOB: 5 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING SB: Smith (13, 3rd base off Casilla/Phegley); Peterson (1, 2nd base off Hendriks/Phegley) CS: Bourjos (3, 2nd base by Smith/Phegley) | ||||||||||
Game Notes
| MGR CASH EJECTED TOP 5TH (ARGUING BALLS AND STRIKES) |
Game Information
| Stadium | Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA |
| Attendance | 15,231 (43.4% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 2:50 |
| Weather | 66 degrees, clear |
| Wind | 14 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Bill Welke, First Base - Jim Reynolds, Second Base - Brian Knight, Third Base - Lance Barrett |
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