Recap: A’s @ Rays Game 125

The A’s stole one late in St. Petersburg tonight as a late go ahead home run from Jonny Gomes broke the tie against a tough Rays pen and allowed the A’s to hold on for a 5-4 victory.

• Jonny Gomes’ eighth inning home run off of Joel Peralta sealed the victory for Oakland. Gomes got the start at DH against his former team and went 1-for-4 with the lone hit being his two-run home run. He also struck out once.
• Jarrod Parker got the start in this one and went six innings allowing three earned runs on seven hits, including a solo home run surrendered to Ben Zobrist, walking two and striking out seven. Parker has been really incredible this year. After a shaky spring, he came in and has really shined posting 2.7 WAR, with a 3.52 ERA in line with his 3.45 FIP as he has 6.9 K/9 (a number I expect will increase in time), 3.5 BB/9 and just 0.5 HR/9.
• The bullpen was solid in this one for the A’s in keeping it tied up. Ryan Cook went one and two thirds innings (earning the win in the process), allowing no hits, walking one and striking out four. Sean Doolittle relieved him and struck out the only batter he faced before deferring to Grant Balfour who earned his thirteenth save despite a shaky ninth.
• Josh Donaldson kept up his torrid pace since his return with a 2-for-4 with a strikeout day, including another double. Yoenis Cespedes also had an extra base hit in this one as a part of his 1-for-4 with a strikeout day, managing a triple.
• The lineup was a bit unique in this matchup with Brandon Moss getting the start in right field and Adam Rosales getting the nod at second. Both players went 1-for-4 with Moss striking out once and Rosales making it two times down on strikes.