Rays 3, Athletics 6: A’s attack on the ace early

An early deficit turned into a long evening of trying to play catchup

The Rays are in Oakland this afternoon and are looking to tie up the series after last night’s walk-off loss. Tyler Glasnow is on the mound for the Rays against Frankie Montas and the Athletics.

Going down 2-0 is not the best way to start a game, especially when a series win is the goal. Glasnow walked the leadoff hitter and allowed a two-run home run to Seth Brown in the first inning.

The top of the second inning brought misfortune for the Rays as Kevin Kiermaier was injured trying to steal second base, getting his left hand stuck under Matt Chapman’s knee. Kiermaier left the game and was replaced by Manuel Margot, taking right field and moving Brett Phillips over to center.

In the bottom of the second inning, Glasnow allowed a solo home run to catcher Austin Allen. After two innings, it was 3-0 Oakland despite five strikeouts from Glasnow.

Glasnow did lock it in after allowing the third run, as he doubled his strikeout total to 10 after five innings of work with no additional runs or even hits allowed. Where things were not locked in was the offensive side of the ball with no runs on two hits up until the sixth inning.

The third Rays hit of the game came off the bat of Austin Meadows, who hit a leadoff double to begin the top of the sixth. The fourth hit? A one-out, two-run home run from Brandon Lowe to cut the Oakland lead down to one.

Lowe’s home run left his bat at 110 mph and went 407 feet into the right field seats. Joey Wendle hit a single after Lowe’s home run and that marked the end of Montas’ day. Montas was sharp with 12 swings-and-misses but he allowed seven hard hits in his outing. Yusmeiro Petit relieved him and got the final two outs to end the inning.

Glasnow stayed out for the bottom of the sixth, striking out the leadoff hitter and getting a flyout for the second out, but a walk of Matt Chapman ended his outing after 5.2 innings. Glasnow struck out 11 but walked four, allowed three runs on two hits and threw 101 pitches with 16 swings-and-misses. Cody Reed relieved him and got a flyout to end the inning.

Hunter Strickland was brought in to pitch with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Strickland inherited a runner and allowed that runner to score to make it 4-2, but one run would be all he’d allow despite loading the bases.

Mike Zunino brought the game within one once again with a two-out single after Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe both hit singles. Mike Brosseau was brought in to pinch-hit for Yoshi, but was unable to tie the game up, sending this game to the bottom of the eighth.

The bottom of the eighth saw the game start to get away from the Rays after Tony Kemp hit a two-out double. Ryan Thompson was brought in to try and keep the game within one, but an error by Brosseau allowed Kemp to score before Elvis Andrus doubled to make it 6-3. Mark Canha grounded out to end the inning.

Things got dramatic in the top of the ninth. Lou Trivino struggled with command, allowing a single to Brett Phillips before hitting Randy Arozarena. Austin Meadows drew a bases-loading walk to bring Yandy Diaz up with still no outs. Diaz popped out for the first out. Brandon Lowe struck out for the second out. Joey Wendle grounded out to end the game.

The Rays found themselves down early with Glasnow immediately putting the team behind, and the offense was unable to win the game of catchup that ensued for the following innings. The Rays drop to 18-17 and drop the series to Oakland. They will try and avoid the sweep tomorrow evening with Shane McClanahan on the mound against Cole Irvin. First pitch inside of the Oakland Coliseum is scheduled for 4:07 pm.