The Tampa Bay Rays revitalized their playoff ambitions with an emphatic 8-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on August 30, 2023. This win allowed the Rays to clinch the three-game series with a 2-1 record. Following a disappointing shutout the night before, Tampa Bay showcased a balanced performance, excelling in both offense and defense as they departed Sacramento on a high note.
Powerful Offense Shines
The Rays wasted no time establishing control, scoring four runs in the first inning. All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe extended the lead with a powerful two-run home run in the second inning, sending the ball an impressive 458 feet to left-center field. This marked Lowe’s 24th home run of the season and his 150th in a Rays uniform, placing him third on the franchise’s all-time home run list, trailing only Evan Longoria and Carlos Peña.
Junior Caminero also contributed significantly, having hit an RBI double in the first inning. He returned to the plate in the ninth to launch his 34th home run of the season, solidifying the Rays’ lead. The 22-year-old All-Star has been in exceptional form, with six home runs in his last seven games. Notably, this game marked the fourth instance in six games where both Lowe and Caminero hit home runs.
Dominant Pitching Performance
On the mound, right-hander Drew Rasmussen delivered a stellar performance, allowing just three hits over six innings while striking out five and not issuing any walks. The only run against him came from a solo home run in the third inning by A’s center fielder Lawrence Butler. Rasmussen’s record now stands at 10-5 with a 2.60 ERA, showcasing his prowess in his sixth MLB season. Over his last 16 starts, he boasts a remarkable 9-1 record, a 2.20 ERA, and a 0.94 WHIP, contributing significantly to the Rays’ success.
Following Rasmussen’s departure, the Tampa Bay bullpen maintained the momentum, as Bryan Baker, Griffin Jax, and Mason Englert combined for three innings of one-hit ball, striking out eight batters in the process.
As the Rays look ahead, they will travel to San Francisco to face the Giants in a three-game series, concluding their 12-game West Coast road trip. Currently, Tampa Bay sits in eighth place in the American League wild-card standings, 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees for the final playoff spot. The Rays will enjoy a day off before facing the Giants, with the first pitch scheduled for 22:15 (UTC-4) on September 1, 2023. Right-hander Joe Boyle will take the mound against Landen Roupp in the series opener.