After a demoralizing three-game sweep in Seattle, the Rays never-ending road trip shifts to Sacramento for a series against the Athletics, but I wanted to approach this series with at least a sprinkle of optimism, and the team’s performance in game one made that a whole lot easier.
In one of the most complete team performances of the season the Rays defeated the A’s 7-4. Eight of the nine batters in the starting lineup recorded a hit, Ryan Pepiot worked into the seventh, and the Rays top three relievers kept the A’s off the board for the final 2.2 innings.
Even though their playoff odds graph is looking like a Bear Sterns share price chart in 2008, it’s time to start finding some silver linings in the remaining games on the schedule. Before the start of the game, the Rays optioned Tristan Peters to AAA Durham and called up right-handed hitting outfielder Everson Pereira in his place. Pereira hit fifth and got the start in center field for Monday’s game, his first appearance in a big league lineup since October 2023.
Pereira was part of the deadline deal that sent José Caballero to the Yankees, joining the Rays alongside a player to be named later. Despite strong minor league numbers, he never cracked New York’s crowded outfield.
Old friend Jeffrey Springs took the mound for the A’s in Monday’s series opener, and the Rays had no trouble racking up hits against the lefty. Springs didn’t make it out of the fourth, and gave up a home run to the struggling Christopher Morel. He finished with four earned runs on his tally.
In the seventh, Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero went back-to-back off Osvaldo Bido to stretch the lead to 6–1. Lowe and Caminero have combined for 56 home runs this year, with Caminero’s 33 putting Carlos Peña’s franchise record of 46 within reach.
Pereira chipped in two hits, including a second-inning double. It’s only one game, but the Rays will take any offensive spark they can get from their outfielders. He could be the complementary bat Morel was supposed to be.
Ryan Pepiot finished the night with four earned runs after a two-run shot from Tyler Soderstrom chased him from the game in the seventh inning. With his pitch count at 85, it seemed like Pepiot could get the eighth inning had the lead stayed comfortable. Griffin Jax finished the seventh, Edwin Uceta got the eighth, and Pete Fairbanks picked up his 20th save of the season to close it out. He now has three straight seasons with at least 20 saves.
This win reinforced my beliefs about what this Rays team could be, even if it won’t come to fruition in 2025. Keeping this core together at the deadline makes me think they might just run it back again next year, and Rays fans shouldn’t be opposed to that. This team was built to win, they just need to start doing it.