A's Score 7 In Seventh To Beat Rays 8-2
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Eric Sogard hit a tiebreaking two-run single as part of a seven-run seventh inning and the Oakland Athletics withstood another blown late lead by their bullpen to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-2 on Sunday.
Mark Canha tripled and drove in four runs while Billy Burns added three hits for the A's, who won for just the third time in 12 games.
The A's went into the game with the worst record in the AL and managed only three hits through the first six innings before matching their season high with seven runs in one inning.
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Stephen Vogt had two hits as part of the seventh when the Oakland sent 12 men to the plate. Vogt was also thrown out at home two batters before Sogard's hit off Steve Geltz (2-5) put the A's ahead for good.
Canha hit a bases-loaded triple later in the inning and Danny Valencia had an RBI single to make it 8-2.
Fernando Rodriguez (3-1) retired four batters for the win after the Rays scored twice off Sean Doolittle in the seventh.
Doolittle was making just his second appearance of the season and first in nearly three months after being sidelined with a strained left shoulder. He inherited a 1-0 lead but left after giving up two runs and recording only two outs.
Desmond Jennings drove in one run and Rene Rivera had an RBI single for Tampa Bay, which failed to complete its first-ever series sweep at the Coliseum.
Both bullpens melted down after strong outings by the starters.
Tampa Bay's Jake Odorizzi didn't give up a hit until Burns' leadoff triple in the third. Canha followed with an RBI single but Odorizzi allowed only one other hit and left with no decision.
A's starter Kendall Graveman remained winless in eight starts despite giving up three hits over six innings. He struck out three, walked one and didn't allow a run for the first time since July 4.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Athletics: Valencia was back in the lineup despite tendinitis in his right knee. Valencia appeared to injure the same knee when he ran into the tarp chasing down Asdrubal Cabrera's foul ball in the second inning and limped away.
UP NEXT
Rays: RHP Nathan Karns (7-5) is unbeaten in six starts since the All-Star break. The rookie, who pitches the series opener against Minnesota on Tuesday, has also allowed two runs or fewer in 18 of his starts, most in the AL.
Athletics: LHP Felix Doubrant (1-1) makes his second start since being added to Oakland's rotation. Doubrant's allowed only one hit and one run over six innings against the Dodgers in his previous start.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
