Jose Siri hit a two-out home run in the eighth inning to break a scoreless pitching duel and help Shane Baz earn his first win in more than two years. The Tampa Bay Rays held off the Oakland Athletics 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Baz (1-2) allowed three hits, struck out four and walked three in a career-best 7 2/3 innings to win for the first time since July 3, 2022, in Toronto. The right-handed pitcher missed the 2023 season with Tommy John surgery.
“It’s tough,” Baz said of his journey back. “You’ve got to take it day by day and just try to get better so you give yourself the best chance of succeeding when you come back. I’m absolutely delighted with it.”
Siri’s solo drive to center field for his 15th home run haunted Oakland starter Joey Estes (5-6), who held his ground in the battle with Baz, drawing 4,377 fans after the A’s had won two of their last three games scoreless.
Edwin Uceta made the final four outs to end the 1 hour, 54 minute game, earning his first career save.
Baz was very happy for catcher Rob Brantly, who made his first Major League appearance since playing one game for the Yankees on May 22, 2022.
They had worked together before at Triple-A Durham, so that gave both of them a sense of security.
“That was really cool, that’s special,” manager Kevin Cash said. “Throwing a shutout is really tough and we just threw a shutout with Edwin Uceta and Brantly definitely plays a big part in that. So happy for Brant that he had the right fingers and the guys were on board with what he was saying.”
Estes struck out five and allowed one run on three hits while pitching 7 2/3 innings.
Oakland starters have allowed just two runs in their last four games. The A’s have lost for just the third time in their last nine games.
The Rays, coming off a 10-game road trip that equates to their longest trip of the year, bounced back after losing the season opener 3-0 on Monday to snap a three-game winning streak.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: RHP Ryan Pepiot is set to make his second start Wednesday since returning from a lengthy recovery from a spider bite and subsequent knee infection that left him hospitalized. “He showed us he’s really good his last outing, a good five-plus which he was,” Cash said. “Pretty dominant stuff. We’re really happy with the way he’s been throwing the ball, so we’re excited to see the second one back from the injury.”
Athletics: LHP Scott Alexander was placed on the 15-day injured list with rotator cuff tendonitis in his throwing shoulder, retroactive to Sunday. … The A’s filled his spot by selecting RHP JT Ginn from Triple-A Las Vegas.
NEXT
Pepiot (6-5, 3.69 ERA) makes his 19th start of 2024 opposite A’s RHP Mitch Spence (7-8, 4.64), who is hoping to end a three-start, 0-2 streak.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
