Joe Boyle and three relievers combined on a two-hitter, JJ Bleday hit a two-run homer and the Oakland Athletics opened a four-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-0 victory on Monday night.
Boyle (3-5) threw a career-high 104 pitches and struck out six with three walks for his first victory since April 29.
Grant Holman and Tyler Ferguson each tossed a scoreless inning before Mason Miller pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 21 opportunities.
Zack Gelof had two hits for the A’s, who have won six of their last eight games and are 17-10 since the All-Star break.
The Rays had their three-game win streak snapped and managed only a pair of singles in the opener of a 10-game road trip.
Oakland took an early lead on Bleday’s two-run homer in the first inning against Taj Bradley (6-8). The 388-foot shot was Bleday’s 16th homer this season (11th at home).
The A’s added a run in the fifth inning when Gelof hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on Max Schuemann’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on Lawrence Butler’s fly out to right field.
Bradley lost his fourth straight start, allowing three runs on five hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out two.
Boyle held the Rays hitless until Yandy Diaz singled with two outs in the fifth inning.
Tampa Bay’s best scoring threat came in the first inning with runners at second and third and two outs. Both runners were stranded when Junior Caminero grounded out.
Rays center fielder Jose Siri went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and has struck out 12 times during his current 0-for-19 skid. He drew a two-out walk in the ninth before Taylor Walls lined out to center field.
–Field Level Media