Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez upset by lack of control (w/video)

ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Erasmo Ramirez didn't seem overly disappointed with the two home runs and five hits he allowed Sunday.

His bigger concern was the five batters he walked and the other one he hit, which helped Oakland score five earned runs during his six innings.

"The whole game, too many walks," Ramirez said. "I need to be back to being a strike thrower instead of a walk thrower."

Ramirez threw 58 strikes in his 95 pitches and said he was trying to be too fine instead of throwing the ball close to the zone. His six innings were the most he has pitched since June 22, when he was with the Mariners.

Ramirez hasn't earned a win in his seven starts against Oakland, making him the first pitcher since Kansas City's Luke Hochevar to start his career 0-6 against the A's.

GUILMET UP, THEN DOWN: RHP Preston Guilmet's Rays debut didn't last long. He was called up from Triple-A Durham after Saturday's game, joined the Rays on Sunday and was optioned back to Durham after the game. LHP Enny Romero had a similar one-day callup Saturday.

Guilmet pitched the eighth and ninth innings Sunday, giving up one run off two hits and a walk while striking out two.

"Kind of what we needed," manager Kevin Cash said. "Provided a couple innings, threw strikes, kind of what we anticipated."

The Rays didn't announce a corresponding roster move for Guilmet, perhaps waiting on more information after three players left Sunday's game with injuries.

Guilmet, who pitched in 14 previous big-league games with Cleveland and Baltimore, became the 42nd different player the Rays have used this season. The team used only 43 during all of 2014.

ODORIZZI AIMS LONG: With the team yo-yoing relievers, RHP Jake Odorizzi enters tonight's start against the Mariners hoping to pitch deep into the game. He has lasted at least six innings in every start so far but wants to last longer to help a bullpen that has thrown a majors-most 153 innings.

"It's really important, just because I think we're starting to play the revolving-door game when we need bullpen help," Odorizzi said. "The bullpen can't pick up three innings on a daily basis. That's just not going to work later in the year."

The team hasn't had a starting pitcher throw more than six innings since May 12.

MEDICAL MATTERS: INF Ryan Brett (left shoulder) began his rehab assignment for the Class A Stone Crabs. He started at second base and was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. … LHP C.J. Riefenhauser (shoulder inflammation) also began his rehab assignment in Port Charlotte. The reliever walked two and struck out one in his scoreless inning. He's scheduled to join Triple-A Durham today.

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MINOR MATTERS: INF Richie Shaffer was promoted from Double-A Montgomery to Durham. The 2012 first-round pick batted .262 with seven home runs, 27 RBIs and 49 strikeouts in 39 games with the Biscuits. He finished Sunday's Triple-A debut 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and four runs scored.

MISCELLANY: The Rays had their third successful challenge of the season in the third, when a 56-second replay review showed that Josh Reddick was picked off first base. They are 3-for-17 on challenges. … CF Kevin Kiermaier's infield single extended his career-long hitting streak to nine games. … RHP Ernesto Frieri allowed a solo home run in the seventh. No reliever in the league has allowed more than his six home runs. … Sunday's Cut for a Cure Charity Challenge raised $1,040 for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.