Rays Bats Explode in Oakland, Torch the Under in 12-4 Rout

So much for Nick Martinez's dominance being the anchor for an Under 10. The Rays torched Oakland pitching for twelve runs in a laugher that sent our pick up in flames by the third inning. Tampa Bay's offense, which we trusted to show "lineup discipline," instead showed discipline in teeing off on Mason Barnett and anyone else the A's trotted out there. Twelve runs from a team we expected to grind out professional at-bats? That's baseball, Suzyn.

Martinez did his part early, keeping Oakland's punchless lineup in check as advertised. But when you're counting on a 2.65 ERA starter to carry an under ticket and your own team decides to hang a dozen, the final score becomes academic fast. The A's chipped in four runs themselves—more than their 3.12 home average—but they were spectators in their own blowout by the middle innings.

The reality: we leaned too hard on Martinez's brilliance and Oakland's offensive futility while underestimating Tampa Bay's ability to break loose against a 5.56 ERA starter and whatever warm bodies followed. Sometimes the bats just wake up. The Under never had a chance once the Rays' lineup got rolling, and we're left holding the receipt on a 16-run bonfire. Tough miss.