Junior Caminero’s 2nd walk-off homer in 4 games gives the Rays a 2-1 win over the Athletics

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Junior Caminero hit his second walk‑off home run in four games, an opposite‑field liner in the ninth inning that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 2‑1 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night. The blast came on the third pitch from Elvis Alvarado (5‑4), just inside the foul pole in right field. It marked the AL‑leading 41st home run of the season for the 23‑year‑old, who recorded his first career walk‑off homer to beat Houston on Friday. Bryan Baker (3‑2) worked a scoreless ninth for Tampa Bay, which has won four straight games and owns an MLB‑best 35‑17 record since July 20. Chandler Simpson, entering the night trailing AL batting leader Yordan Alvarez of Houston, accounted for half of the Rays’ six hits. He went 3‑for‑3, raising his average to .308, and scored after reaching on a second‑inning double. Simpson also made a sliding catch to deny Shea Langeliers in the ninth. Simpson leads the American League in singles (143), triples (six) and stolen bases (41). He is pursuing a feat last accomplished by Maury Wills (1962), Snuffy Stirnweiss (1944), George Sisler (1922) and Ty Cobb (1911 and 1917) — becoming the only player since 1900 to lead a league in all three categories. The Athletics knotted the score in the sixth when Henry Bolte scored on a wild pitch from reliever Ty Johnson. Griffin Jax tossed five scoreless innings, striking out seven while allowing two hits and no walks. After Bolte’s run, the Rays’ bullpen retired the final 11 batters. Oakland starter Jack Perkins delivered a career‑best 6 2/3 innings, yielding one unearned run on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts. Tampa Bay right‑hander Nick Martinez (14‑4, 2.92 ERA) is slated to start Wednesday against Oakland left‑hander Brady Basso (1‑2, 3.86).