Smith singles in run in 13th to lift Rays over Athletics 1-0
OAKLAND — Mallex Smith hit an RBI single with two outs in the 13th inning, Jonny Venters got his first save in seven years to cap a seven-hit shutout and the Tampa Bay Rays outlasted the Oakland Athletics 1-0 on Monday.
Chris Archer went six innings as the first of six pitchers for the Rays in their first shutout of the season.
Ryne Stanek (1-0) retired five batters to win and Venters struck out Matt Olson with the tying run on base for his first save since 2011.
Venters missed five seasons due to four major elbow surgeries, including three Tommy John operations, before returning to the big leagues this year.
The Rays have won four of five.
Chris Hatcher (3-2) retired the first two Tampa Bay hitters in the 13th before Johnny Field reached on an infield single to shortstop.
Jesus Sucre followed with a single to move Fields to second before Smith blooped a 2-0 pitch to right-center.
The A’s and Rays wasted multiple scoring opportunities before Smith knocked in the only run of the game.
Tampa Bay had runners at second and third with two outs in the third and again in the sixth but didn’t score.
The Rays also got Carlos Gomez to second with two out in the 10th, but Field struck out swinging.
Oakland came up empty after loading the bases with one out in the sixth, then failed to score after getting the first two batters on in the ninth.
The Rays got a big lift from their bullpen on a day when both starting pitchers were stellar.
Archer was sharp, striking out seven and walking two.
Archer has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts.
Sergio Romo retired two batters, Jose Alvarado pitched 1 1/3 innings and Matt Andriese worked three scoreless frames for the Rays.
Oakland starter Trevor Cahill pitched four-hit ball, didn’t walk a batter and had six strikeouts over eight innings, his outing since going eight against Texas on May 27, 2013 while still with Arizona.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: RHP Yonny Chirinos (right forearms strain) will make a second rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.
Athletics: Designated hitter Khris Davis continues to make steady progress in his recovery from a strained right groin. “His agility looks great,” manager Bob Melvin said.
“I’m encouraged.” Davis is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday . ... CF Boog Powell (sprained right knee) has been feeling better the past few days, Melvin said.
UP NEXT
LHP Blake Snell (6-3, 2.78 ERA) pitches for Tampa Bay on Tuesday and is winless in two career starts against Oakland.
Snell has allowed two runs or fewer in nine starts overall this season, tied for second in the majors. RHP Daniel Gossett (0-2, 6.28) takes the mound for the A’s.