ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 27 (UPI) -- Pat Burrell socked a three-run homer to break open a close game and boost the Tampa Bay Rays to an 8-6 victory over Oakland Tuesday.
Burrell's third-inning clout broke a 4-4 tie and the Rays went on to win their third straight game and improve their MLB-best mark to 15-5.
Jason Bartlett went 3-for-5 and drove in a pair of runs while Reid Brignac homered and B.J. Upton crossed the plate twice in Tampa Bay's latest win.
Wade Davis (2-1) was shaky but pitched well enough to nail down the victory, giving up four runs on seven hits over five innings.
The A's were led by Cliff Pennington, who smacked a three-run homer and ended with four hits and four RBIs.
Oakland starter Ben Sheets (1-2) was ineffective, yielding eight runs on nine hits over four innings.
