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Art Deco · 02-26-2026, 07:39 PM

Game 1: It was a wild one at Publix Park, one that saw the Rays blow a 7-0 lead before prevailing by a football score of 15-10 over Oakland. Angel Gonzales belted a 2-run homer (#21) and backup C Alex Gonzalez had a bases-clearing double to build that early lead but the A's wiped it out completely in the 6th. Julio Mattilla was wild but effective at 5.1 4 2 2 7 5 but Randy Mastropietro gave up 3 runs without retiring a batter and Chris Friedman (4-2) put the finishing touches on the blown lead. But Orlando Diaz responded in the bottom of the frame with a 3-run shot (#15) to restore Tampa Bay's advantage and Gonzalez had a career game, homering (#1) and driving in 3 more runs. Still the bullpen kept allowing runs and even with a 15-8 lead going into the 9th Manny Lopez made a mess and Bill Sutherland had to come in. He put two more on to load the bases before getting the final out for his 19th save.

Game 2: A much more tame affair but one that didn't go the Rays' way as Oakland scored 3 in the 6th to take a 4-2 win. Elijah Whitaker (4-5) was pitching one of his better games of the season until he wasn't, finishing 5 5 2 2 1 8 as he ran into 6th-inning trouble and new reliever Kuisma Hinkkanen made it worse, turning a 1-1 game into a 4-1 game. Angel Gonzales homered again (#22); his solo shot was the lone Rays highlight.

Game 3: The Rays' midseason swoon continued as they lost for the fourth time in their last five games and eighth in their last eleven, dropping the rubber game 4-3 to Oakland in 11 innings. Tony Guzman started and was a decent 5.1 5 2 2 3 5 but they found themselves down 3-1 in the 8th. Jesus Avalos then hit a clutch 2-run homer (#16) to tie it up but it only ended up prolonging the agony as the A's scored in the 11th off Steve Swords (0-1). This after the Rays put the first two men on in the 9th and didn't score and then loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 10th before Paul Mayes hit into a 6-2-3 double play to kill that chance.

Team record: 56-41. Unlike the previous series they lost where the Yankees bailed them out by getting swept, New York this time did the sweeping to gain two games and pull within 1 1/2 of Tampa Bay. Next up: A day off to travel west where we'll start with 3 in Anaheim against the Angels.

02-26-2026, 07:39 PM	#2957
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,695	July 15-17, 2058: vs Oakland (3) Game 1: It was a wild one at Publix Park, one that saw the Rays blow a 7-0 lead before prevailing by a football score of 15-10 over Oakland. Angel Gonzales belted a 2-run homer (#21) and backup C Alex Gonzalez had a bases-clearing double to build that early lead but the A's wiped it out completely in the 6th. Julio Mattilla was wild but effective at 5.1 4 2 2 7 5 but Randy Mastropietro gave up 3 runs without retiring a batter and Chris Friedman (4-2) put the finishing touches on the blown lead. But Orlando Diaz responded in the bottom of the frame with a 3-run shot (#15) to restore Tampa Bay's advantage and Gonzalez had a career game, homering (#1) and driving in 3 more runs. Still the bullpen kept allowing runs and even with a 15-8 lead going into the 9th Manny Lopez made a mess and Bill Sutherland had to come in. He put two more on to load the bases before getting the final out for his 19th save. Game 2: A much more tame affair but one that didn't go the Rays' way as Oakland scored 3 in the 6th to take a 4-2 win. Elijah Whitaker (4-5) was pitching one of his better games of the season until he wasn't, finishing 5 5 2 2 1 8 as he ran into 6th-inning trouble and new reliever Kuisma Hinkkanen made it worse, turning a 1-1 game into a 4-1 game. Angel Gonzales homered again (#22); his solo shot was the lone Rays highlight. Game 3: The Rays' midseason swoon continued as they lost for the fourth time in their last five games and eighth in their last eleven, dropping the rubber game 4-3 to Oakland in 11 innings. Tony Guzman started and was a decent 5.1 5 2 2 3 5 but they found themselves down 3-1 in the 8th. Jesus Avalos then hit a clutch 2-run homer (#16) to tie it up but it only ended up prolonging the agony as the A's scored in the 11th off Steve Swords (0-1). This after the Rays put the first two men on in the 9th and didn't score and then loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 10th before Paul Mayes hit into a 6-2-3 double play to kill that chance. Team record: 56-41. Unlike the previous series they lost where the Yankees bailed them out by getting swept, New York this time did the sweeping to gain two games and pull within 1 1/2 of Tampa Bay. Next up: A day off to travel west where we'll start with 3 in Anaheim against the Angels.