The Oakland Athletics sorely need a reprieve on a road trip in which they've been knocked around by two of the AL's best offensive teams.
One may come Friday night against the lighter-hitting Tampa Bay Rays, who'll face Oakland's most consistent pitcher in the opener of this three-game series.
The A's enter Tropicana Field staggering from five straight losses to Baltimore and Boston. They've been outscored by a whopping 51-18 margin over the last four, permitting 11 or more runs in each for the first time in franchise history.
"It's certainly embarrassing," outfielder Josh Reddick told MLB's official website following Wednesday's 13-3 trouncing by the Red Sox.