Rays sweep Athletics with 10-1 win as AL East race tightens

Tampa Bay's 10-1 win over Oakland completed a sweep and pushed the Rays another step toward an AL East title. The Rays sent 10 batters to the plate in a six-run fourth inning, turning a close game into a rout.

Chandler Simpson went 2-for-5 with two runs, two RBIs and two stolen bases. His .311 average moved him past Houston's Yordan Alvarez for the American League lead. Taylor Walls added an RBI bunt hit, the Rays' 47th of the season, second-most by any club in the pitch-tracking era.

Drew Rasmussen held Oakland scoreless for five innings and earned his 15th win. Tampa Bay has now won 11 consecutive games started by Rasmussen, tying the franchise record for consecutive wins in a pitcher's starts. The sweep was the club's 16th this season, already a franchise record.

The Athletics dropped to 61-92. Tampa Bay, 93-59, now turns to a weekend home series against Boston with its postseason position strengthening by the day.