Athletics Stymie Rays 3-0 in St. Petersburg

Spence throws a gem; Miller slams the door!

The Oakland Athletics hit the east coast today opening a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays in St Petersburg, Florida. Mitch Spence took the mound for the A’s and faced 28-year-old righty Zack Littell for Tampa Bay.

The game was a true pitcher’s duel early. In fact, the A’s had only three hits off Littell through five innings. Spence, however, was nearly perfect. He allowed one walk and no hits through five.

In the top of the sixth, the A’s finally broke through. Max Schuemann reached on an error by second baseman Brandon Lowe. JJ Bleday walked. Miguel Andujar then launched his first home run of 2024 to deep left field. That shot gave the A’s a 3-0 lead.

Tampa snuck in their first hit of the game off Spence on the 98th pitch of the game in the bottom of the sixth. José Caballero blooped a single to shallow centerfield. Kotsay immediately pulled Spence after that hit and brought in T.J. McFarland. T.J. got the final two outs of the inning.

Seth Brown singled to lead off the top of the seventh. Then Littell nailed JD Davis on the back of the hand with a pitch, moving Brown to second with no outs. Gelof could not drop a bunt and eventually struck out. Schuemann also attempted a bunt, was unsuccessful and struck out as well. Toro popped out to the catcher to end the inning. JD Davis left the game with visible swelling on his hand.

Michael Kelly replaced McFarland with one out in the bottom of the seventh. He sent the Rays down 1-2-3. Chris Devenski replaced Zack Littell in the top of the eighth. He walked JJ Bleday. And Brent Rooker. Miguel Andujar grounded into a double play, and then Shea Langeliers walked and stole second. But Devenski struck out Seth Brown to end the threat.

Jason Adam entered the game to pitch the top of the ninth for the Rays. He sent them down quietly in order. Mason Miller entered the game with a 3-0 lead. He struck out Caballero, with every pitch topping 100-mph. Richie Palacios popped out to Seth Brown for the second out. Yandy Dias shot a base hit right through the middle of the infield. Brandon Lowe hung tough through eight Miller pitches and with a full count won the battle with a base on balls. But Miller turned it around with a three-pitch “K” of Isaac Paredes to slam the door on the Rays.

The A’s are now 17-1 when leading after 7 innings. This win snapped an 8-game losing streak on the road and earned Mason Miller his eleventh save of 2024.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Major League Baseball and its clubs are hosting several activities to highlight the value of mental well-being while emphasizing the importance of seeking assistance and asking for help. Both teams tonight are wearing a green ribbon patch on their jerseys to draw awareness of this critical issue.