Rays 8, Athletics 4
B.J. Upton had three hits and two RBIs, and Jeff Niemann won his fifth straight decision as the Tampa Bay Rays cruised to an 8-4 victory over the visiting Oakland Athletics on Friday.
Niemann (6-4) allowed seven hits, four runs and struck out eight over 8 2/3 innings, and threw a career-high 119 pitches. He has not lost since May 4.
Ben Zobrist added two hits, two RBIs and scored three times for the Rays, who registered three runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to take control.
Johnny Damon broke out of a 0-for-15 slump with two hits and two runs scored for Tampa Bay, which has produced 24 runs in its three-game winning streak. Upton has been on base seven straight times.
Coco Crisp belted a two-run homer in the sixth to get the Athletics within 4-2, and Hideki Matsui had a solo blast in the ninth for Oakland.
Robinson Chirinos knocked in his seventh run in three games on a ground out to give the Rays a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
Oakland starter Guillermo Moscoso (4-6) allowed six hits, three walks and four runs over 4 2/3 innings.