OAKLAND — The A’s put a charge into a fireworks night crowd Saturday, getting a two-run homer from Jake Smolinski and a walk-off shot from rookie Ryon Healy to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3.
It was a stunning turn of events for a team that had mustered just five runs over its previous 39 innings and looked like it would waste a sterling pitching effort from Kendall Graveman.
Smolinski hit the first pitch he saw from Alex Colome for a two-run shot to left to tie it. Two batters later, Healy worked the count to full and launched the game winner to left-center, setting off the A’s second walk-off celebration in as many nights.