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Rays journal: Evan Longoria hits 250th career homer in nightcap

 
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) celebrates a homer, the 250th of his career, hit off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea (55) with first baseman Logan Morrison (7) in the sixth inning of the second game of a doubleheader between the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, June 10, 2017.
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) celebrates a homer, the 250th of his career, hit off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea (55) with first baseman Logan Morrison (7) in the sixth inning of the second game of a doubleheader between the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Saturday, June 10, 2017.
Published June 11, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG — Evan Longoria capped a good day at the plate Saturday with the 250th home run of his career during the nightcap of the doubleheader.

Longoria, who singled in the winning run in the 10th inning of the Rays' 6-5 win in the first game, drove in both Rays runs during their 7-2 loss to the A's in the nightcap.

It was his first home run in 10 games.

"There aren't many players in this game who can say 250, and Evan is not anywhere close to stopping, so he's going to continue knocking them out," manager Kevin Cash said.

Colome stumbles

Closer Alex Colome blew his third save opportunity of the season in the first game of the doubleheader when he allowed the tying run to score on back-to-back doubles in the ninth inning.

It snapped a string of 12 saves.

"It doesn't happen too often with Colome," 3B Evan Longoria said. "We give him a break one out of every 30 or whatever he blows. He's been pretty good for us, so it's good to be able to come back and get that one for him."

Longoria singled home LF Peter Bourjos to give the Rays a 6-5 10-inning win.

RHP Austin Pruitt, who pitched the 10th, earned the win, his fifth of the season.

"Pruitt comes in and throws a nice inning for us," Longoria said.

Long ball vs. Stanek

RHP Ryan Stanek allowed a pair of home runs during the seventh inning of the nightcap — a 440-foot shot to left-center by Ryon Healy and a two-run shot to right by Chad Pinder that turned a 3-2 A's lead into a 6-2 lead.

Stanek has allowed six runs this season, all on home runs. The rookie has allowed three homers in his past two appearances.

Roster shuffle

RHP Ryan Garton was optioned to Triple-A Durham after the first game to make room on the roster for RHP Matt Andriese, who started Game 2. Garton has appeared in seven games this season with the Rays. He has allowed 13 hits and 10 earned runs in 101/3 innings. He has also walked five and allowed three homers.

Miscellany

. CF Mallex Smith stole his fourth base in two games during Game 1. He has seven in seven attempts this season at the major-league level.

. SS Tim Beckham's two-run double in Game 1 was his 10th hit this season where he gave the team the lead.

. The two games were played in a total of 7 hours, 2 minutes.

. RHP Erasmo Ramirez, who started Game 1, and RHP Matt Andriese, who started Game 2, combined to go 61/3 innings.