For Brad Boxberger, one hand was enough.
Finally.
Boxberger, the Tampa Bay Rays’ closer who has fallen on hard times lately, garnered his 30th save with a little difficulty Friday night. He gave up a run, a wild pitch and three hits, and he had the tying and winning runs in scoring position with one out. Still, he had a strikeout and a flyout to work his way out of trouble in a 2-1 victory over Oakland.
For Boxberger, who has more losses than a Rays’ closer has ever had and who has allowed more walk-off victories than anyone in the major leagues in six years, finally pulled through for the Rays. He had lost two straight.
Perhaps he should widen his options. A’s reliever Pat Vanditte, who throws with both hands, entered the game in the seventh inning. As are the rules, he has to declare which arm he will throw with before he faces a batter and is then locked into throwing that way throughout the at-bat. The Rays sent up pinch-hitter Daniel Nava, who fouled out.
Except for that, the A’s didn’t offer much interesting until the ninth. Desmond Jennings drove in both runs, singling in Logan Forsyth in the second inning and hitting a solo homer in the ninth. Starting pitcher Drew Smyly was much better than in his return game, winning his first game in 357 days. He shut out the A’s for 5 2/3 innings.
For the Rays, Desmond Jennings is now 10-for-28 since his return from the disabled list and has a hit in five of his six games. He has knocked in all three runs in the last two victories.
The Rays’ Erasmo Ramirez goes after his 11th victory tonight.
