Game 126: Rays Fall Short As Oakland Rallies For Win

The Rays let the lead slip away Friday night, as Joel Peralta gave up a two out, two run home run in the eighth, giving the Oakland A’s a comeback 5-4 victory.

Ben Zobrist gave the Rays a 1-0 lead with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the second, but the A’s came back in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Josh Donaldson had a base hit, plating Yoenis Cespedes. After a hit batsman loaded the bases, Brandon Moss reached on an infield hit, giving Oakland the lead.

Zobrist tripled with one out in the bottom of the frame, scoring on a sacrifice fly to tie the game. The Rays took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, when B.J. Upton‘s two out double plated Jose Molina, putting the Rays up 3-2. Tampa had an opportunity to extend the lead in the bottom of the sixth, with runners on first and second with two out. Ryan Roberts singled up the middle, and Evan Longoria was held at third, loading the bases. Jarrod Parker managed to escape unscathed, striking out Molina to end the threat.

Oakland tied the game on back to back doubles by Donaldson and Moss in the top of the seventh. Moss moved to third on a wild pitch. After a fly out, Jake McGee struck out the next two batters, keeping the game tied. However, Peralta came in for the eighth, and gave up a two run home run to Jonny Gomes, giving Oakland a 5-3 lead. The Rays scored a run in the ninth, as Luke Scott had a pinch hit double, cutting the lead to 5-4, but pinch runner Sam Fuld was stranded on second, as Grant Balfour managed to preserve the Oakland victory.

Matt Moore had a no decision, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk over 6.1 innings, striking out seven. Upton and Zobrist had two hits each in the loss.