The trip out of Oakland was long and monotonous.
On the other hand, so was the seventh inning for the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rays had one of their ugliest innings in years Sunday afternoon, giving up seven runs to the heretofore dormant Oakland A’s in an 8-2 loss. The defeat prevented the Rays from a sweep of the series and of returning home with a 5-5 record in the 10-game road swing.
Tampa Bay led 2-1 going into the seventh, and pitcher Jake Odorizzi was well in charge with a three-hit, one-run outing. But after he walked the leadoff batter, the Rays turned to Steve Geltz, who had a nightmare inning. Geltz faced five hitters and gave up two singles, two doubles and a walk. A bases loaded triple by Mark Canha was the major blow of the inning.
Together, Geltz and Matt Andriese gave up eight hits and six runs in combining for one inning.
The Rays open a three-game home stand against Minnesota Tuesday when Nathan Karns faces Ervin Santana. The Kansas City Royals follow. The Rays are a combined 1-6 against the Twins and Royals this season.
