Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Blanked 5-0

The Oakland Athletics broke the Tampa Bay Rays’ two-game win streak Saturday afternoon, thanks to Eric Sogard’s sixth inning two-out single with Xavier Cedeno on the mound. At 24-20, Tampa Bay still leads the AL East by 1-1/2 games over New York.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Win Second Straight, 5-2

Evan Longoria belted the first of three homers Friday night in the Tampa Bay Rays’ second consecutive win over Oakland, this time by a score of 5-2. Steven Souza Jr. and Tim Beckham also homered, moving the Rays to five games over .500 for the first time this season. They now lead the division by 1-1/2 games over the Yankees.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Blank A’s 3-0, First in the AL East

The Tampa Bay Rays took over sole possession of first place in the AL East on Thursday, beating the Athletics by a score of 3-0. With New York idled by an off-day, Tampa Bay is now a half-game ahead of the division after Alex Colome and four relievers combined to blank Oakland.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Athletics — A Series Preview

Despite a 2-3 record on their most recent road trip, the Tampa Bay Rays return home in a much better position than the slumping Oakland Athletics, who they’ll face over the next four days.