The Tampa Bay Rays (7-0) defeated the Oakland Athletics (2-5) 9-5 on Friday night. The Rays improved their franchise-best start to the season to 7-0.
After the As got on the board with a single run off Zach Eflin in the second, Tampa Bay answered with a six-run outburst in the bottom of the second to take control of the game early. Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam in that inning to help key the outburst. Harold Ramirez, Manuel Margot, Christian Bethancourt and Wander Franco also homered for the Rays in the win.
Efflin (2-0, 3.27) finished his night allowing just three earned runs on nine hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked none in the win.
The Rays will now look to make it eight in a row - and win the series against Oakland - on Saturday afternoon. Jeffrey Springs is expected to start for the Rays, and face Shintaro Fujinami for the As. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 4:10 PM - Neil Solondz begins pregame coverage at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES