The Oakland A’s picked up their 14th win in 15 games over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay on Mon Apr 26, 2021 (@Athletics photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s opened the four-game series with the Tampa Bays Monday night at Tropicana Field. The game featured a matchup of two left-handed pitchers. The A’s had Sean Manaea on the Hill looking for his third win of the year. The Rays sent 41-year-old lefty Rich Hill to the mound. Hill, who pitched for Oakland in 2016, is a master of the curveball.

He throws from different arm angles, and the A’s knew he would be one tough customer. The Orioles snapped the A’s thirteen-game winning streak Sunday in Baltimore. Oakland was hoping to get back on the winning track with a win. 

The Rays put a run on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Rays’ right fielder Randy Arozarena led off the frame with a single. The next hitter, Yandy Diaz, lined a rocket off Sean Manaea’s right leg. Manaea was able to pick up the ball and fire to first to get the out. Arazarena made it to second. He stole third and scored on Austin Meadows’ sacrifice fly to center field. The Rays lead 1-0.

The A’s defense saved a run in the bottom of the third. With two out and a man on second, Stephen Piscotty made a diving catch on Manuel Margot’s fly ball to right. 

Rich Hill had his way with the A’s hitters. He had his curveball working its magic. The A’s had one hit in the first three innings, and Hill had struck out five A’s. In the fourth, he retired the first two hitters. The next hitter, Matt Chapman, worked Hill for a walk. Sean Murphy, who struck out in the second inning, blasted a flyball to left that barely made it over the fence to put the A’s ahead 2-1.

Neither team would score. Manaea lasted five innings. He threw 100 pitches in five innings of work. The A’s used Yusmeiro Petit in the sixth and seventh. Jake Diekman pitched the eighth, and Lou Trivino closed out the game for Oakland.

Game Notes and Stats: In the top of the seventh, the A’s manager Bob Melvin was tossed from the game. With two outs and a man on first, Tony Kemp hit a popup that landed in between three Rays’ fielders. Tropicana Field’s covering for the dome contributed to the ball dropping in safely.

Elvis Andrus, running on the play, appeared to have slid in safely at home. The home plate umpire called him out. The A’s asked for a review. The replay showed that Andrus’s hand slid across the plate before Ray’s catcher, Mike Zunino, applied the tag. The review crew in New York did not overturn the call. Melvin was incensed and let the umpires know they were wrong. They sent Melvin to the clubhouse. 

Manaea’s line was five innings of work, four hits, and one run allowed. His record improved to 3-1. Lou Trivino earned his third save in three opportunities. Rich Hill was the hard-luck loser. He went six innings and allowed two runs and two hits. His only mistake was the gopher ball that he served up to Murphy.

Rich Hill hit Mark Canha with a pitch in the third inning. It was the 59th time that a pitch has hit Canha in his time with the A’s. He and Sal Banda are tied for first in Oakland A’s history in that department.

With the win, the A’s are 15-8 for the season. The Rays, defending American League champions, are 11-12.

The A’s and Rays play game two of the series Tuesday night. Righty Frankie Montas (2-1) will go for Oakland. The Rays will counter with righty Michael Wacha (1-1). The game will start at 4:05 pm.