A’s Swept Again in 8-4 Series Finale Loss

The Athletics took on the Tampa Bay Rays in the series finale, hoping to avoid yet another sweep. The Rays left no doubt about which team was better, defeating the A’s 8-4 to complete the sweep and leave the A’s still searching for answers on how to pitch and win at Sutter Health Park.

The Rays began the top of the second inning with three straight hits, capped by second baseman Richie Palacios’ RBI single that put them up 1-0. Designated hitter Yandy Díaz brought the second run home on a slow dribbler, which A’s starter Jack Perkins errantly fielded. The right-hander stopped the bleeding by getting the next batter to ground into an inning-ending double play.

For a second straight inning, the A’s failed to capitalize after getting a runner on second with one out against Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen. First baseman Tommy White once again made an out on the first pitch he saw. He needs to go back to Triple-A and learn some patience, as that is becoming a major weakness in his game.

The Rays rallied again in the third inning as Perkins allowed two more singles to begin the frame. With two outs, center fielder Cedric Mullins lined an RBI double to left, extending the visitors lead to 3-0. On that play, the A’s defense put together a nice relay to cut down the second runner, who was trying to score from first base.

In the bottom of the third, A’s left fielder Carlos Cortes lined a two-out, two-run double against Rasmussen, cutting the Rays’ lead to just one run.

Perkins was left in the game too long and immediately erased his team’s momentum. After getting the first two outs of the fourth inning, he fell apart, allowing three straight singles. The Rays were not done teeing off. Catcher Liam Hicks delivered the knockout punch with his third hit of the game. Hicks’ 16th home run of the season, a three-run shot to right-center, put Tampa Bay ahead 7-2.

Perkins should not be a starting pitcher any longer. Yes, he was facing a tough Rays lineup, but it is inexcusable to allow seven runs on 12 hits with only two strikeouts over five innings, particularly when his team is on the verge of being swept at home. The A’s should put Perkins back in the bullpen, where he had some success earlier this season.

Unlike Perkins, Rasmussen maintained his team’s momentum. He allowed two runs on just four hits over five innings. Left-handed reliever Steven Matz replaced him in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Rays turned to their rested bullpen to finish the game and complete the series sweep.

Speaking of relievers, left-hander Drew Rom made his A’s debut, tossing a scoreless sixth inning against the three best hitters in the Rays’ lineup. Scott Blewett followed with a second consecutive scoreless inning from an A’s reliever.

The struggles continued for freshly recalled A’s reliever Hayden Juenger, who allowed one run on two hits in the top of the eighth inning. The young right-hander showed poise by recording a strikeout and then inducing an inning-ending double play to escape a runners-on-the-corners, no-out jam. Fellow struggling youngster Seth Johnson bounced back from his Monday meltdown, pitching a scoreless inning in a less stressful situation with the A’s trailing by multiple runs.

The Athletics scored a couple consolation runs against Rays’ reliever Michael Grove in the bottom of that inning. With one out, second baseman Zack Gelof hit his 13th home run of the season and second in three games, a solo shot to left-center field.

Two batters later, right fielder Lawrence Butler joined Gelof in the home run column. His ninth home run of the season and second in as many days was a 426-foot solo shot to right-center field that cut the Green and Gold’s deficit to four runs.

Grove retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, securing the victory that completed a historic 9-0 West Coast road trip for the Rays, who are on a collision course for the top seed in the American League playoff bracket.

Meanwhile, the A’s are just attempting to finish this season on a good note. They still have not won a series at home since the week they spent as the home team at their Triple-A ballpark, meaning the drought in West Sacramento extends even further.

After receiving the day off tomorrow to reset, the Athletics will look to finally end that drought this weekend when they host the Texas Rangers for a three-game series. At the moment, neither team has announced its starter for Friday night’s series opener.

A’s Swept Again in 8-4 Series