Pratt's Instant Replay: Rays 8, Athletics 0

BOX SCORE

OAKLAND -- Unfortunately for the A's, Rays starting pitcher James Shields wasn't moved in a deadline deal. He took all of the "O" out of the Oakland bats in a three-hit shutout. The A's lost 8-0, but still went 19-5 this month -- the best July in franchise history. At the PlateShields became the first pitcher in Rays history to reach double-digit strikeouts in three consecutive games. He whiffed 11 A's hitters and allowed zero walks. He struck out the side in the seventh inning, getting Seth Smith, Josh Reddick and Yoenis Cespedes. Both Cespedes and Hick's struck out three times on the evening. The one bright spot of the night was when the A's pre-trade deadline addition -- catcher George Kottaras -- debuted. He smacked a single to right in the eighth inning and ended the night 1-for-3. One of the loudest cheers of the game came when a guy dressed like a baker named "Pie Man" combined the Bernie with the Call Me Maybe dance. That was the kind of night it was for the A's on Tuesday. Starting Pitching ReportNormally untouchable at home, Tommy Milone had an uncharacteristically rough start at the Coliseum. Prior to Tuesday, the rookie left-handed pitcher hadn't allowed more than two runs in any start in Oakland. He gave up his first two runs in the third inning on three hits. Milone then settled into a groove retiring eight batters in a row -- three of which were dispatched on five pitches in the fifth. The Rays would start a streak of their own in the sixth though, getting three-straight singles to start the inning. The third single was hit by Jeff Keppinger and it drove in the Rays' third run. Then, Carlos Pena hit a sacrifice fly and Sean Rodriguez singled putting the A's in a 5-0 hole. Milone got Matt Joyce to ground into an inning-ending double play. Surprisingly, all four of the hits in the sixth inning came on Milone's change-up. The change-up is usually Milone's best pitch. He lasted six innings with five earned runs. He walked one batter and struck out four. He threw 95 pitches in the game. Bullpen ReportEvan Scribner pitched two key innings for an A's bullpen that was maxed out over eight shutout innings on Monday in the 15-inning marathon game. He allowed an unearned run in the seventh and might have stayed in a little too long. The Rays were able to load the bases with no outs and plate their seventh run on a Jennings single before he exited. Jim Miller entered the game inheriting three of Scribner's runners. Two of the ended up scoring. In the FieldThe Rays learned their lesson on Monday after Reddick flashed his powerful throwing arm in right field, gunning down Pena as he tried to advance to third. On Tuesday, Sam Fuld singled with after a Jose Lobaton double and the lead runner came to a screeching halt at third as soon as Reddick touched the ball. The play saved a run because Lobaton was caught in a rundown and tagged out in the next at-bat.
Brandon Hicks badly misplayed a ball hit to short off the bat of B.J. Upton, allowing Jennings to score the sixth run of the game. AttendanceThe A's announced an attendance of 15,836. Dot RaceWhite wins the dot race after being launched across the finish line by the competitors.Up NextJarrod Parker (7-4, 3,38) takes the mound seeking a series win for the A's. Parker gave up six runs in his last start against Baltimore but escaped with a no decision as the A's won 14-9. He will be opposed by Alex Cobb (4-8, 4.93 ERA). Cobb lasted seven innings allowing three runs against the Angels in his last start but was saddled with the loss.