ST. PETERSBURG -- Tampa Bay's pitching staff powered through a stressful ninth inning, holding on for a 5-4 win over the A's on Sunday at Tropicana Field. With the win, the Rays moved within seven games of Oakland in the American League Wild Card standings.
Tampa Bay entered the ninth up, 5-0, but Jake Faria walked the only three batters he faced to load the bases. Jose Alvarado struck out Jed Lowrie for the first out before Sergio Romo was summoned from the bullpen.
His opponent: AL home-run leader Khris Davis, who belted a grand slam to make it 5-4.