Host Rays hold on for 4-3 victory over Athletics

ST. PETERSBURG — Brett Phillips hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning Tuesday night and the Tampa Bay Rays held on for a 4-3 win over Oakland, handing the Athletics their second loss in 16 games.

Joey Wendle’s two-out single in the seventh tacked on another run for the Rays and ended Tampa Bay’s 0-for-26 stretch with runners in scoring position.

Phillips’ first homer of the season came off Frankie Montas (2-2) and erased the impact of a bizarre defensive decision in the top of the sixth by Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.

“Hits like that kind of reassure you to keep doing your work,” said Phillips, who had been struggling along with the rest of Tampa Bay’s offense. “It feels good to…