Game #124: A's Take Lead, Blow Lead, Nothing to See Here

So, I guess that the life lesson for 2015 is that Sonny Gray is only going to get a win when he pitches a complete game. It really doesn't seem to matter which arm the A's choose out of the bullpen; 2015 virtually guarantees a loss when the bullpen enters the game. Just for your notes, prior to this game, the Tampa Bay Rays were 0-49 when trailing after 8 innings. That changed tonight, of course, because the force is strong with this one.

Sonny Gray started this game and allowed three solo home runs; one in the second, one in the third, and one in the seventh, scattering only two other hits. The A's tied the game in the second inning at one, as Phegley, inserted into the game as Vogt replaced Valencia, doubled to score Lawrie, who singled. The Rays took the lead 2-1 in the third, but the A's mounted a comeback in the sixth, as Canha homered to tie the game, Lawrie doubled and Phegley homered to give the A's a 4-2 lead. Gray gave up one more home run to close the score to 4-3, but left the game with a lead.

The A's turned to Pat Venditte for the ninth. He recorded a strikeout for the first out, but walked the next hitter and allowed a double to put two on. He was replaced by Drew Pomeranz, who threw exactly one pitch to give up both runs, and hand the Rays the 5-4 lead, and the game. So that was fun.

We continue the fun tomorrow afternoon!