Olson, Davis power A's past Rays
Matt Olson and Khris Davis hit back-to-back home runs in a three-run sixth inning Tuesday night, powering the Oakland Athletics to a 4-3 victory over the host Tampa Bay Rays.
Right-hander Mike Fiers threw six strong innings and three relievers protected a narrow lead for one inning apiece, allowing the A's to even the three-game series after having dropped the opener 6-2 on Monday.
Fiers (6-3) ran his unbeaten streak to seven games despite allowing a solo home run to Tommy Pham, his ninth of the season, with his seventh pitch of the game.
The A's ace rebounded to check the Rays on two runs and three hits over his six innings. He walked two and struck out four.
The Rays went up 2-0 in the fourth when Willy Adames stole home as part of a double-steal with Kevin Kiermaier, who took second on the play.
The A's got one back against Rays left-hander Jalen Beeks in the fifth with the help of a passed ball on Tampa catcher Mike Zunino that allowed Jurickson Profar to advance into scoring position. He scored on Chad Pinder's RBI single.
Beeks was pitching in relief of Rays "opener" Ryne Stanek, who pitched a scoreless first. Beeks allowed only an unearned run in his four innings.
Oakland caught another break when Adames made a poor throw from shortstop on a Matt Chapman grounder with one out in the sixth, setting the stage for Olson's two-run blast off the Rays' third pitcher, Emilio Pagan (1-1).
The homer was Olson's third in the last five games and 10th of the season.
Davis followed immediately with his 14th homer, a solo shot that increased the A's lead to 4-2.
LIam Hendriks and Lou Trivino pitched perfect innings, striking out five of the six batters they faced, before handing the ball to Blake Treinen for the ninth.
The Rays got to Treinen for a run on a two-out single by Adames, but the A's closer got Kiermaier to ground out to secure his 15th save.
Pagan, who was charged with three runs (two earned) in two innings, got the loss.
Davis and Profar had two hits each for the A's, who won for the fifth time in nine games on their 10-game trip.
Adames had two singles for the Rays, who were out-hit 7-4.
--Field Level Media
