Saturday, 4 a.m.
The Tampa Bay Rays are starting to like the drama.
For the second straight night, the Rays won in walk-off fashion, beating the Oakland A’s 6-5 in 12 innings. This time, it was Richie Palacios who provided the winning run, hitting a long single against the A’s two-outfield defensive formation.
The Rays are now 28-29 on the season.
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The Rays continued to scuffle offensively, leaving nine men on base and going two-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Rays scored three runs in their first two at-bats on four hits, then went into a funk where they couldn’t buy a hit. The Rays didn’t manage another hit until the ninth.
Still, the Rays managed to win, largely because their last five relievers allowed just one unearned run 5 1/3 innings.The Rays twice came back against flame-throwing Mason Miller, who hadn’t blown a save all season. But Jose Siri hit a homer in the ninth (his second of the game, his third in two nights) and Randy Arozarena hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th.
Isaac Paredes hit a two-run homer and Siri hit a solo shot early in the game for a 3-0 lead.
The As came back with a four-run third. But the A’s, too, struggled to take advantage of their chances. They were two-for-17 with runners in scoring position. In the 10th they loaded the bases, but the Rays induced a double play and Pete Fairbanks notched a strikeout to give the Rays a chance.Richard Lovelady got the win, allowing two baserunners but no runs in the 12th.
The Rays visit the Orioles tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Camden Yards. Aaron Civale will start for the Rays against Albert Suarez.