Late Homer Secures 1-0 Victory for Rays Against A's
- Jose Siri's late homer in the 8th inning leads Rays to a 1-0 victory over A's.
- Shane Baz earns his first victory in over two years with a stellar pitching performance.
- Tampa Bay Rays successfully hold off the Oakland Athletics in a close game.
In a tightly contested matchup on Tuesday night, Jose Siri's eighth-inning home run propelled the Tampa Bay Rays to a narrow 1-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics. The game marked a significant milestone for Rays pitcher Shane Baz, who secured his first win in over two years. Baz, who had been sidelined for the entire 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery, delivered an impressive performance, allowing just three hits while striking out four and walking three over 7 2/3 innings. Siri's solo shot, his 15th home run of the season, came off Oakland starter Joey Estes, who had been holding his own against Baz. The Athletics, drawing a modest crowd of 4,377 fans, were looking to bounce back after suffering shutouts in two of their last three games. Despite the loss, Estes showcased resilience on the mound, but ultimately, the Rays' offense broke through at a crucial moment. Edwin Uceta closed out the game for Tampa Bay, recording the final four outs to earn his first career save. Uceta's familiarity with Baz from their time at Triple-A Durham provided a sense of comfort for both players. Rays manager Kevin Cash expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly praising Baz's dominant outing. The victory allowed the Rays to rebound from a previous loss in the series and extend their winning streak to three games. Meanwhile, the Athletics made roster adjustments, selecting RHP J.T. Ginn from Triple-A Las Vegas in response to their recent struggles.