Fresh from taking two straight series’ on the road for the first time this season, the Athletics returned home to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Jeffrey Springs took the mound today against Ryan Pepiot for the Rays.

The Rays jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning following singles by Junior Caminero, Nick Fortes and Chandler Simpson surrounding a double by Everson Pereira.

The Rays loaded the bases again in the top of the third. They scored on a sacrifice fly to right fielder JJ Bleday. With runners on first and third they attempted a double steal. Shea Langeliers threw to second baseman Urias who threw a bullet back home to nail Brandon Lowe. The Rays did score one to increase the score to 3-0.

The Rays continued to build their lead in the top of the fourth with a homer by Christopher Morel. Springs did not look sharp tonight. Kotsay seemed to think so too, as after one more out, he ended Springs’ night. His final line was 3.1 innings, seven hits and four earned runs with only two strikeouts. Osvaldo Bido replaced him.

Shea Langeliers got the A’s on the scoreboard with a big fly to deep centerfield. That was number 24 on the season and twelve since the all-star break. That homer tightened the score to 4-1.

Bido had been living dangerously but keeping the Rays off the board. However, in the top of the seventh, Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero homered back-to-back to give the Rays a 6-1 lead.

The A’s came roaring back when Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers led off the bottom of the seventh with singles and Tyler Soderstrom homered to drive them all in. That tightened the score to 6-4 and chased Ray’s starter Pepiot.

Michael Kelly replaced Bido in the top of the eighth. Kelly walked the first two batters he faced to open the inning. Yandy Díaz squibbed a ball down the third baseline that Kelly was unable to handle. That loaded the bases and sent Kelly to the bench. Hogan Harris replaced him. Brandon Lowe hit a sacrifice fly to score the seventh run of the night.

Rays closer Pete Fairbanks entered the game in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Kurtz popped a little bloop in between the Rays infield and outfield for a double. Langeliers grounded out. Soderstrom struck out. Darell Hernaiz grounded out to end the inning and the game. The A’s came up short tonight 7-4.