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The Tampa Bay Rays extended their winning streak to eight games with a convincing 12-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night in West Sacramento, California. Shortstop Taylor Walls delivered the standout performance, hitting home runs from both sides of the plate for only the second time in his career while going 4 for 5 at the plate. The 30-year-old’s pair of homers marked his first of the season after a 105-game drought dating to July 27, 2025.
Walls struck first with a two-run shot to right-center in the fourth inning, then added a solo blast in the sixth. His last accomplishment of hitting homers from both sides came on April 18, 2023, against the Cincinnati Reds. The feat places Walls among an exclusive group of five players to achieve the milestone this season, alongside Drew Romo of the White Sox, Willi Castro of Colorado, Bryan Reynolds of Pittsburgh, and Josh Bell of Minnesota.
Rays pitcher Nick Martinez put together a complete-game performance, striking out five batters while surrendering four runs on eight hits through 101 pitches. The effort marked only the second complete game of Martinez’s career, his first coming in 2024 against Cincinnati, which resulted in a loss. The AL East-leading Rays set the tone early when Junior Caminero launched a 412-foot two-run shot to center field in the opening inning.
Tampa Bay’s offense proved overwhelming, accumulating 11 hits and additional home runs from Yandy Diaz, Carson Williams, and Victor Mesa Jr. Lawrence Butler provided the Athletics’ offensive spark with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Oakland starter Mason Barnett absorbed the loss after allowing six runs on five hits across four innings, falling to 1-3 on the season.
The Athletics suffered an additional setback when Jacob Wilson’s MLB-record 112-game errorless streak came to an end in the eighth inning following a throwing error. The three-game series concludes Wednesday with the Rays sending right-hander Drew Rasmussen to the mound, while Oakland has not yet announced a starting pitcher.
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