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Art Deco · 02-19-2026, 06:24 PM

After only seven runs were scored combined by both teams in their last three games, offense returned to Tropicana Field as the A's and Rays combined for 32 runs over the weekend. And Tampa Bay came out on top in all three affairs to get things going again.

Victor Gonzalez was the star in the opener, punctuating a great debut season to date with his best game yet as he homered twice, was 3-3 and drove in five runs to lead the Rays to a 9-5 win over Oakland. After the A's grabbed a 3-1 lead in the 3rd against Brad Paquette, Willis Ramirez went solo (#7) and then Gonzalez put the Rays ahead with the first of a pair of 2-run shots. And in the 5th Gonzalez put the game out of reach with his second (#27) with Rogelio Fitzgerald adding a 2-run jack (#20/28) in the 8th for good measure. Paquette (8-6) wasn't at his best (6 9 4 4 1 5) but had more than enough run support for the win.

The second game wasn't pretty but the Rays squeezed out a 4-3 win over Oakland. All of their offense came in a 4-run 3rd which was highlighted by Rogelio Fitzgerald's bases-clearing double. Leo Gutierrez got the start but left after retiring the first five men he faced with back tightness though he'll be fine for his next start. Chris Ericson (2-0) picked up the slack and although he wasn't that great at 4.1 6 2 2 2 1 in long relief it was good enough for the win. Eric Lewis struck out two in a perfect 9th for his 21st save.

Tampa Bay capped a sweep with a back-and-forth 6-5 win in the finale thanks to Rogelio Fitzgerald's dramatic 2-run homer (#21/29) in the bottom of the 8th inning. After Oakland drew first blood the Rays went up 4-1 in the 4th on Ray Green's 3-run blast (#5) but Danny Morales couldn't hold the lead, giving up a pair of homers and finishing 6 6 4 4 2 4. The A's then got a run across in the top of the 8th off Jamie Arnold (2-0) to go up 5-4, but Fitzgerald had other ideas in the home half of the frame. Eric Lewis was brilliant again, this time striking out the side in a 1-2-3 9th for save #22.

Team record: 68-30. Next up: A day off then we hit the road starting with 3 in Baltimore.

02-19-2026, 06:24 PM	#1629
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,761	July 20-22, 2040: vs Oakland (3) After only seven runs were scored combined by both teams in their last three games, offense returned to Tropicana Field as the A's and Rays combined for 32 runs over the weekend. And Tampa Bay came out on top in all three affairs to get things going again. Victor Gonzalez was the star in the opener, punctuating a great debut season to date with his best game yet as he homered twice, was 3-3 and drove in five runs to lead the Rays to a 9-5 win over Oakland. After the A's grabbed a 3-1 lead in the 3rd against Brad Paquette, Willis Ramirez went solo (#7) and then Gonzalez put the Rays ahead with the first of a pair of 2-run shots. And in the 5th Gonzalez put the game out of reach with his second (#27) with Rogelio Fitzgerald adding a 2-run jack (#20/28) in the 8th for good measure. Paquette (8-6) wasn't at his best (6 9 4 4 1 5) but had more than enough run support for the win. The second game wasn't pretty but the Rays squeezed out a 4-3 win over Oakland. All of their offense came in a 4-run 3rd which was highlighted by Rogelio Fitzgerald's bases-clearing double. Leo Gutierrez got the start but left after retiring the first five men he faced with back tightness though he'll be fine for his next start. Chris Ericson (2-0) picked up the slack and although he wasn't that great at 4.1 6 2 2 2 1 in long relief it was good enough for the win. Eric Lewis struck out two in a perfect 9th for his 21st save. Tampa Bay capped a sweep with a back-and-forth 6-5 win in the finale thanks to Rogelio Fitzgerald's dramatic 2-run homer (#21/29) in the bottom of the 8th inning. After Oakland drew first blood the Rays went up 4-1 in the 4th on Ray Green's 3-run blast (#5) but Danny Morales couldn't hold the lead, giving up a pair of homers and finishing 6 6 4 4 2 4. The A's then got a run across in the top of the 8th off Jamie Arnold (2-0) to go up 5-4, but Fitzgerald had other ideas in the home half of the frame. Eric Lewis was brilliant again, this time striking out the side in a 1-2-3 9th for save #22. Team record: 68-30. Next up: A day off then we hit the road starting with 3 in Baltimore.