Game Thread #46: A's at Rays

Up and at 'em A's fans! I'm wearing my Stomper pajamas with my Bobby Kielty gnome mug filled with coffee ready and raring to go for some Oakland baseball.

Today we are treated to another display of Sonny Gray doing what he does best. On the opposing end Tampa Bay sends Erasmo Ramirez to the mound. Erasmo has a history against the A's having spent the previous three seasons in Seattle. In six starts and seven total appearances against the A's Erasmo is 0-5 with a 4.83 ERA. But that is expected from a pitcher who has a career 4.84 ERA. This season is heading in the same direction for Erasmo as he has yet to pitch out of the fifth inning in a start while carrying a 6.44 ERA.

The lineup should be able to take advantage of Tampa's fifth starter, and today we have a familiar 1-9. The lead-off trio of Burns-Semien-Reddick again tops the order, with Vogt returning to bat clean-up. Max Muncy gets another start at third. Apparently Lawrie's back hasn't loosened up. The bottom of the order is slightly re-ordered today with Canha slotting in at seventh ahead of Sogard and Fuld. Yesterday the bottom third was productive, going a combined 4 for 9 with 3 runs, 3 RBI's, and 4 walks.