Athletics at Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are trying to keep from falling too far back in the American League East race and next face an opponent that could help them make a move in the standings. The Oakland Athletics, who own the fewest road wins in the majors with an 8-20 mark, will kick off a four-game series at Tampa Bay on Friday night.
The Rays are physically banged up, placing second baseman Brad Miller on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday and watching outfield Kevin Kiermaier hobble off the field one night later with a jammed right hip following an awkward slide at first base. Catcher Derek Norris is under investigation by Major League Baseball for alleged physical and emotional abuse of his former fiancee but shook of the distractions by connecting for a pair of homers in Tampa Bay's 7-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. While Oakland failed to complete a three-game sweep of Toronto on Wednesday, center fielder Rajai Davis had the 10th four-hit game of his career, matching his total from the previous 10 games (4-for-38). Trevor Plouffe homered in the extra-inning loss, halting a funk of his own in which he was mired in an 0-for-25 slump.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (Oakland), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Andrew Triggs (5-5, 3.36 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (4-5, 4.52)
Triggs opened the season by allowing one earned run or less in six of his first eight starts, but he has hit a rut with three consecutive defeats while giving up 18 runs. Triggs lasted a season-low 3 2/3 innings last time out versus Washington and was roughed up for six runs and nine hits. After allowing one homer in seven starts, Triggs has given up five in his last four starts.
Like Triggs, Cobb also is coming off his worst outing, getting hammered for nine runs and 14 hits over five innings at Seattle on Saturday. While Cobb is 1-3 with a 3.67 ERA at home, eight of his starts have come on the road, where he is pitching to a 5.01 ERA and allowing a .311 batting average against. Jed Lowrie is 6-for-13 against Cobb, who is 3-2 with a 2.44 ERA versus Oakland.
WALK-OFFS
1. OF Peter Bourjos homered Thursday in his return from the DL, giving Tampa Bay back-to-back blasts for the eighth time -- most in the majors.
2. Former Rays OF Matt Joyce has nine RBIs in his last eight games for the Athletics.
3. Rays SS Tim Anderson, who has hit safely in four straight overall, is 5-for-17 with two homers against Oakland.