Yarbrough had mixed results against A's./JEFFREY S. KING
Friday, 4 a.m.
For a day, the Tampa Bay Rays were no longer one of the surprise teams of the American League.
For a day, the "Bullpen Day" blue print no longer worked.
For a day, the Oakland A's defended their home turf.
After three straight wins over the A's, and five overall, the Rays took one on the chin Thursday afternoon, losing a 7-3 game to Oakland that dropped Tampa Bay
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Ramos hit a two-run double in the ninth./CARMEN MANDATO
back to one game over .500. Oakland hit three home runs and got a solid start from Daniel Mengden in the victory.
The Bullpen Day has worked fairly well for the Rays, but not on Thursday. Starter Ryan Stanek was touched for two runs, Ryan Yarbrough for three and Vidal Nuno for two.
"I think it’s worked fine," said Rays' manger Kevin Cash. "Really well. It was a 3-0 game (for much of the day). we’re going to put ourselves in a lot of situations to win games. Sometimes you have tip your hat to the opposition."
Wendle had three hits for the Rays./CARMEN MANDATO
Yarbrough had a mixed outing. He struck out nine in 5 1/3 innings, but he allowed five hits and three walks.
“I thought he threw the ball really well," Cash said. "I know they hit the homers there at the end. We’ll get him right back out there."
The Rays didn't do a lot of damage offensively, but Joey Wendle had three hits. The Rays scored their three runs in the ninth on a two-run double by Wilson Ramos and a one-run double by Christian Arroyo.
The Rays now travel to Seattle, where Sergio Romo will pitch against Mike Leake. The game begins at 10:10 p.m.
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