Rays Hold Off Athletics 6-5 to Avoid Sweep

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025

Josh Lowe, Yandy Díaz, and rookie Jake Mangum homered, Ryan Pepiot posted a quality start, and the Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep with a 6-5 win over the Athletics on Wednesday afternoon.

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the Rays batted around and scored five runs. Josh Lowe’s leadoff home run tied the contest. Brandon Lowe followed with a double to extend his major-league leading hitting streak to 18 games, and Yandy Díaz put Tampa Bay ahead with a two-run homer.

Pepiot improved to 6-6, pitching six innings and allowing four hits and two runs, which came on solo homers by Brent Rooker and Max Schuemann. He walked three and struck out nine. He fanned five of his last six batters faced.

Mangum got the Rays on the board earlier with an inside-the-park home run, crushing a slider to the deepest part of the park, just out of reach of center fielder Denzel Clarke. It was the first such homer by a Rays player in two years and the 24th in franchise history.

Max Muncy also homered for the A’s, who got three hits from Schuemann. Second baseman Luis Urías departed in the sixth inning with right hamstring tightness.

Key Moment

Down 6-2 entering the ninth inning, the A’s quickly scored three runs. With Rays closer Pete Fairbanks unavailable after pitching the last two days, Edwin Uceta loaded the bases with one out. Uceta then fanned Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz to end the game, earning his first save of the season.

Key Stat

Rays pitchers recorded a season-best 17 strikeouts in the game, one day after fanning 15 Athletics on Tuesday night.

Up Next

The A’s return home to face the Giants on Friday. JP Sears (6-7, 5.09 ERA) is scheduled to start for Oakland. San Francisco is undecided on its starter. Tampa Bay begins a 10-game road trip at Minnesota on Friday, with Zack Littell (7-7, 3.61 ERA) on the mound for the Rays. The Twins have yet to announce a starting pitcher.

In summary

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Athletics 6-5 on July 2, 2025, avoiding a sweep. Key home runs from Josh Lowe, Yandy Díaz, and an inside-the-park shot by Jake Mangum powered the Rays offense. Ryan Pepiot delivered a quality start with nine strikeouts over six innings. Despite a ninth-inning rally by the A's, Edwin Uceta closed out the game for his first save. Rays pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts in the victory.

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