The Tampa Bay Rays Brandon Lowe slides in safely ahead of the ball as the Oakland A’s third baseman Abraham Toro anticipates the throw in the bottom of the fourth at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay on Wed May 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (23-34) scored first in game two of their series with the Tampa Bay Rays (27-29) but they were unable to hang onto the lead falling behind in the seventh inning 3-2. They did tie up the game in the eighth inning 3-3 but Tampa Bay prevailed winning in a walk-off 4-3. The rubber match of this series will be played early Thursday afternoon as the A’s will be looking to win the series.

Game recap: Oakland’s Joey Estes had a great outing going five innings and allowing two hits, one run with five strikeouts. Tyler Ferguson relieved Estes briefly but was pulled in the sixth inning having allowed three hits and one run. Alexander took over for Ferguson in the sixth inning.

In the sixth inning, Andujar hit an infield single driving Abraham Toro home taking back the lead 2-1. The Oakland lead was short-lived however when Brandon Lowe scored off a Jonathan Aranda single to tie up the game once against 2-2.

The Rays took their first lead of the game in the seventh inning. Isaac Paredes doubled and Palacios scored for a 3-2 lead. Oakland kept the damage to a minimum throwing Yandy Diaz out at home for the third out.

Oakland refused to let down scoring in the eighth inning to tie up the game. JJ Bleday singled but was thrown out trying to reach second. Max Schuemann was able to score to level this game 3-3.

With no outs in the third inning and a runner on third Tampa Bay was in a great place to walk this game off. Jose Siri singled Amed Rosario home and that was the ball game 4-3. It was a tough game for Oakland losing in a very competitive game.

Post game notes: As in Tuesday’s game, the A’s scored first in this game. They took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when the red hot Miguel Andujar hit a sacrifice fly and JJ Bleday scored for the early lead. The Rays answered right back in the same inning tying up the game 1-1. Brandon Lowe scorched a triple to left and Isaac Paredes scored for the tie game.

The two teams meet in the rubber match of this series Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 AM. The A’s have not announced a starter and the Rays are starting RHP Shawn Armstrong (1-1, ERA 3.91) .