ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 15 (UPI) -- Ted Lilly allowed three hits over six innings in his Oakland debut Monday night to help carry the Athletics past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the seventh time in eight games, 4-0.
Lilly (4-6), acquired by the A's from the New York Yankees in a seven-player, three-way trade with the Detroit Tigers on July 5, did not allow a hit until John Flaherty's two-out single to left field in the fifth inning.
The lefthander got all the support he needed in the third inning. Ramon Hernandez led off with a single, advanced to second on third baseman Jared Sandberg's error and scored on Scott Hatteberg's double to right field.
Mark Ellis, who advanced to third on the double, scored on a wild pitch by Tampa Bay starter Ryan Rupe. Miguel Tejada then plated Hatteberg with a groundout to extend Oakland's advantage to 3-0.
Rupe (5-10) re-injured his right knee covering home on his wild pitch and lasted just six more pitches.
Steve Kent replaced Rupe and gave up the game's final run in the fifth, when Ellis rapped a leadoff double, moved to third on a groundout and scored on Tejada's single to right.
The Devil Rays managed just four hits off Lilly and three relievers and lost for the 10th time in 11 games.
The A's were victorious for the fifth time in six games and have won all four contests at Tropicana Field this season.
