Rays rally past A's 6-5 on July 3, 2025, with 3 HRs in the 6th. Yandy Díaz and Jake Mangum's homers power the comeback to avoid a sweep. Read how!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it looked like the Oakland A's were about to leave town with a broom, the Tampa Bay Rays unleashed the thunder. A massive five-run sixth inning, powered by three home runs including a rare inside-the-parker, propelled the Rays to a nail-biting 6-5 win on Wednesday, salvaging the series finale and injecting some much-needed life back into the club.
Rays pitchers combined for a season-best 17 strikeouts, fanning Athletics batters at a historic rate.
The game turned on a dime in the bottom of the sixth. Trailing 2-1, the Rays bats finally woke up in a big way. Josh Lowe ignited the rally with a leadoff solo shot. Not to be outdone, Brandon Lowe followed with a double, extending his MLB-leading hitting streak to a remarkable 18 games. The exclamation point came from Yandy Díaz, who launched a two-run homer to cap the five-run frame and give the Rays a lead they would desperately cling to.
The most electrifying moment of the day, and perhaps the season, belonged to rookie Jake Mangum. The speedy outfielder scorched a ball to the gap and never stopped running, circling the bases for an inside-the-park home run. It was a breathtaking display of hustle that sent the Tropicana Field crowd into a frenzy and marked the first inside-the-parker for the Rays in two years, the 24th in franchise history.
While the offense provided the fireworks, Ryan Pepiot provided the foundation. The right-hander was brilliant, delivering a quality start with six innings of two-run ball while racking up nine strikeouts. The pitching staff as a whole was overpowering, setting a new season-high with 17 K's. The ninth inning, however, was pure drama. With closer Pete Fairbanks unavailable, Edwin Uceta was called into a bases-loaded, one-out jam and coolly struck out the final two batters to earn a heart-stopping first save.
The good news wasn't confined to the field. Manager Kevin Cash was 'really encouraged' by ace Shane McClanahan's recent full-intensity bullpen session, hinting at a potential August return that could transform the pitching staff. Manuel Rodríguez and Ha-Seong Kim are also making strides in their rehabs. The news wasn't all positive, however, as second baseman Luis Urías left Wednesday's game with right hamstring tightness, and Alex Faedo was moved to the 60-day IL. The team will be holding its breath for good news on Urías.
This was more than just one win; it was a character test. The Rays showed their offensive potential, their pitching dominance, and their grit under pressure. As they head into the holiday weekend, they'll look to build on this momentum. With Brandon Lowe swinging the hottest bat in baseball and the tantalizing prospect of Shane McClanahan's return on the horizon, this victory could be the spark that ignites a crucial second-half run.
